Caroline Pennell

Originally from Saddle River, New Jersey, Caroline Pennell made her name at 17 on season 5 of the American edition of The Voice, where her soft voice and indie pop-folk range carried her into the live shows on CeeLo Green’s team. After the show, Caroline Pennell launched a career as a singer-songwriter, signed with Canadian label Nettwerk and developed an intimate pop universe, blending acoustic ballads with understated electronic arrangements. This period resulted in several EPs, including December Songs (2016), Phases (2018) and Blue (2020), which established songwriting focused on relationships, doubt and vulnerability. At the same time, Pennell undertook numerous writing sessions for other pop artists and occasionally collaborated with electronic music producers, appearing as a guest vocalist on certain tracks. Later based in Los Angeles, she adopted the stage name Carol Ades for a more overtly alternative pop project, still rooted in personal lyrics and highly nuanced vocals, inaugurated by the EP Through (2021) and continued with Sadtown USA (2022). Under both Caroline Pennell and Carol Ades, the artist thus navigates between a solo career and writing for others, while remaining committed to a melodic, introspective aesthetic.