Robert Forster – The Candle And The Flame

The Candle and the Flame is the eighth solo album by Australian singer-songwriter Robert Forster, released on February 3, 2023, by Tapete Records.

This intimate and poignant work was recorded in Brisbane at Alchemix Studios, with contributions from his wife Karin Bäumler and son Louis Forster, formerly of The Goon Sax. The family plays a central role in the album's creation, with Bäumler providing xylophone and vocals, and the children participating on guitar and bass. The production reflects a stripped-back folk-pop sound, with simple arrangements that highlight Forster's poetic and emotional lyrics. The album explores themes such as aging, memory, and the passage of time, with the track "She's a Fighter" standing out as it was written during Bäumler's chemotherapy treatment. Despite its emotional depth, The Candle and the Flame conveys a message of hope and resilience, and is considered by many to be one of Forster's most touching works.