Cartoon Carnival makes music that feels raw and refreshingly human. His sound is shaped by his own journey from factory shifts to songwriting, mixing a working-class sensibility with vulnerable storytelling. He finds inspiration in simple, everyday moments and turns them into songs that are both catchy and meaningful. The result is music that feels unpolished and honest, spontaneous but full of thought.
His new sophomore album, “Even Glitter Fades,” applies that same approach to a 12-track story. Over 39 minutes, the record follows the journey of a young woman as she navigates love, heartbreak, and eventually finds herself again.
The album cover tells you a lot before you even press play. A woman sits barefoot on a wooden floor, a shimmering dress pooled around her. With her glitter and heels set aside, the image captures the album’s theme perfectly: the sparkle of youth can be dimmed by hardship, but it’s never completely gone.
The album opens with the pop and hip-hop blend of “The Gram #Doubletap,” which pulls you into the world of social media validation. The character knows her beauty and her power, posting carefully to get the attention she wants. As he sings, “If you see me on your feed today, just know I planned it that way,” Cartoon Carnival introduces a young woman enjoying her own radiance.
From there, the mood bursts into the pop anthem “Sip Sip Hooray.” It’s a song that celebrates sisterhood and fun, a perfect soundtrack for a carefree night of dancing and champagne. The track captures the unfiltered joy of a great night out with friends, with a hook that is instantly memorable.
The feeling shifts with the cinematic “Touch Me Like Trouble.” The song explores desire and danger through a smooth mix of R&B, pop, and hip-hop. Here, the character is asking for something more complex, wanting someone who can match her own intensity. The track reveals a woman embracing her more daring side.
Next is “Take Off My Clothes,” with its warm, reggae-infused rhythm and smooth R&B vibe. It’s a sensual and confident song about a woman who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to ask for it. The beat has an intimate sway, creating a playful and commanding mood.
The fifth track, “Movie Star Face,” is a bright electropop song with a beat that belongs on a dance floor. It’s a celebration of glamour and the feeling of being admired. The song is full of red carpet energy, with the main character stepping into the spotlight as the star of her own movie.
The first five tracks celebrate glamour and youth, but the album goes much deeper. The remaining seven songs follow the character through heartbreak, loss, and recovery. By the end of the album, she has transformed into a resilient and powerful woman who has been through tragedy but won’t be defined by it.
This blend of catchy hooks and thoughtful storytelling is what makes Cartoon Carnival’s music so compelling. His work thrives on contrast: light and shadow, glamour and grit, celebration and sorrow. “Even Glitter Fades” is an album about the messy, beautiful parts of life itself.
Cartoon Carnival seems to be at his best when writing about that tension between the messy and the meaningful. He isn’t just making radio-friendly songs; he’s trying to connect with people by writing music that sounds real. That authenticity is what makes his work stand out.
“Even Glitter Fades” is now available on all major streaming platforms.
