Australian singer and rapper, The Kid LAROI, recently released his second studio album to the public on January 9th, 2026, titled Before I Forget. The album attracted a wide range of fans. Not only did The Kid LAROI fans tune into this album, but fans of admired popstar, Tate McRae, felt drawn to the album as it surrounded their breakup. The album was both messy and heartfelt, creating the perfect mix to pull in any listener thirsting for some celebrity drama.
In July of 2025, The Kid LAROI and Tate McRae publicly announced their breakup, receiving both hate and support. I believe that this breakup ultimately sparked The Kid LAROI’s inspiration for this album, as one of the songs is called “July.” Although the song discusses little personal information about their breakup, it talks about the last time he held her and how he wants to remind her about the love they once had. I loved this song even though it is not one of the most listened to songs on the album—it currently only has about 4 million streams.
The most listened to song on the album, and in my opinion, the best song he has ever released, is called “A Cold Play.” The song currently has over 63 million streams, and it is for good reason. “A Cold Play” is super catchy and consists of a fast-paced, catchy beat that The Kid LAROI sings to. The song is about his lasting feelings for Tate and his inability to fix the way she feels. He gives an overview of his regrets within the relationship and states that he wishes they could have been friends even after they ended things. This song puts the listener straight into his shoes and makes the listener feel for him and his feelings.
Another song that I also enjoyed is more rap-based, called “Rather Be.” This song features Lithe, another Australian singer. It currently has over 10 million streams, making it one of the album’s hit songs. This song involves a lot more rap compared to the rest of the album. I really liked the variety of vocals this song provided, and I thought the song brought a more upbeat aspect to the album, even though it covers the sad reality behind The Kid LAROI’s emotions after Tate ended things with him. From this song (and many others), it is clear to see that Tate is the one who decided to break up, and not the other way around.
Whether fans believe The Kid LAROI and Tate McRae should stay apart or get back together, there is no question that this album is a catchy, heartfelt mixture of songs that is sure to pull in anyone who has experienced heartbreak or regret in their lives.