9. October 2026
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Media Review

Caro – Returning To Innocence

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

Caro - Return To Innocence

Caro - Return To Innocence
4.5

Rating

 4.5/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Very good, straight storytelling
  • Modern pop tracks with a unique touch

Especially during this year, I felt really sad that the Dutch music scene is very often not gaining that much popularity in my home country Germany. The more, I was happy when I received a promo (already in July) for a 9th October 2026 album release from the Netherlands. Caro, who had worked under other project / artist names before, releases her Returning to Innocence. I was really curious and had a listen.

 

Caro – About The Artist

Caro’s full civil name is Caroline Esmeralda van der Leeuw. The 26th April 1981 Amsterdam-born artist formerly named herself Caro Emerald and is part of the music project The Jordan. Apart from pop, she is also doing music in the swing and jazz sphere. She started to pursue a professional career as a musician and released her debut single Back It Up in 2009. Already her second single A Night Like This (both released as Caro Emerald) topped the domestic charts, but also received a platinum record in Germany and golden ones in Switzerland and Italy. The corresponding 2010 debut album Deleted Scenes from the Cutting Room Floor was a major success in Europe, including a six time platinum record in the Netherlands and a triple platinum in Poland. Her second album The Shocking Miss Emerald (2013) topped the Dutch and British charts as well.

 

Caro – Return To Innocence – Track by Track

The fourteen track album lasts 47 minutes.

1. Already Lost

Caro starts her 2026 album with Already Lost. The song is a modern pop track, which comes with quite some melancholy. Cause I’ve already los,t I’m already damned without you, she states in the chorus. A nice, atmospheric, but also a bit of dark, slow song.

2. I Can´t Win

The following to songs have been released as single. The backing vocals in the chorus remind of typical arrangements in the 1980’s, but the rhythmic, reduced style of the style itself does not allow for too much nostalgia. The artist’s high voice feels like a great fit for that song, which has a rather surprising twist in the chorus.

3. Call the Shots

Due to its more present, stomping beat, you might also go for a slow dance while you listen to Call the Shots. At least this applies to the chorus, the stanzas come with that reduced modern pop sound again. The contrast between these sections is rather large. It is an interesting twist, despite the difference might feel a bit too large, especially at first listen.

4. The Only One

The Only One starts woth vocals only. In general, the instruments are only used very decently in this song. This leads to a very intense, focused listen.

5. Woman (Intro)

This 44 second track is rather an intermission track. In fact, it is the intro to Goddess. The recording spoken by a child-alike person begins with A gracious woman displays honor, strength and dignity. Despite this might initially sound very traditional, there is a strong feministic message in it at the end.

6. Goddess

Father Please forgive me For I have sinned – this song rather feels like a sung prayer. The song feels very personal and caught me from the very beginning.

7. The Guy Bangs

All the other girls wanna be in his bed
Be in his bed, be in his bed
All the other girls wanna be in his head
Be his girlfriend

How could the contrast between a song and its predecessor be bigger? This does not only include the (obvious) topic of this song, but also its style. The song even has a bit of rocking vibes. The stomping rhythm drives the song at fast pace. Also as the song comes with a nice twist (All the other girls wanna be in my place), it is one of the best songs of Returning To Innocence.

8. Superstar

Especially in this part of the album, I here and there think about Taylor Swift. Similar to the US superstar (how fitting to this song…), Caro presents very straight, very relatable stories and songs. She does modern pop as well, but does songs like Superstar in her very own message. The hymnic chorus could be the basis for a ballad as well .But the Dutch artist goes for the modern pop style which is characteristic for this album.

I don’t wanna be your superstar
I don’t wanna be your friend
Baby, I could never go this far (Baby, you will never own this heart)
Faking that smile again (Making me play pretend)
I don’t mind if you don’t like me
This is who I am
I don’t wanna be your superstar, again

9. Lose Our Head Sometime

After a very story-focused beginning, Lose Our Head Sometimes contrasts with a very pop-ish chorus. All we want Is the truth or dare To lose our head sometimes, she states in there. She catches me with that.

10. Mama

The following 4:35 minutes are taken by Mama. The song is obviously addressed to Caro’s mother. The song is looking back, but also missing the innocent childhood days. For example, she states Mama hold me till I’m asleep in the second verse.

11. Greatness

It might be that Greatness is finally before Mama in the album, my information is contradicting. The song is a rather straight modern pop song. It does have a really nice touch, though. Not the most present track of Returning To Innocence, but a really fine listen.

12. Worship Me

Worship Me is one of the shorter songs of the album, just lasting about three minutes. The song does leave a mark, though. It also underlines the overall thoughtful, spiritual character of the album. The fade-out even feels a bit like church choir music.

13. Mirror

Dear mirror
Tell me something nice
Am I someone that you like
Always by my side

This one is one of the deeper, reflecting songs of the album. There is also some struggle. Nonetheless, I really love the atmosphere and spirit of the track. You make me feel I’ll never die – it also has a rather strong message again.

14. The Promised Land

The Promised Land closes Caro’s album. The song is rather slow, but especially the synth parts and the vocal performance add a lot turning it into a intense final experience.

 

Caro – Return To Innocence – Spotify

Here is the album on Spotify:

 

Caro – Return To Innocence – My View

I really love the intensity and honesty behind Return To Innocence. Caro presents a modern pop album with a lot of depth, strong atmosphere – and fragility. The Netherlands have such a vibrant and fascinating music scene. Not only Caro is proving that it would deserve a stronger focus.

Favorite Song: The Guy Bangs

 

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