Older / Lizzy McAlpine / April 5, 2024
- Joshua Yoo
- Apr 12, 2024
- 1 min read
With any Lizzy McAlpine project comes a heavy dose of relatability that often brings out the child in any listener. ‘Older’ shows that she’s growing up though, as the music reflects the slightly more mature perspectives and sound of an artist coming into her own.
Pushing back more of the pop-friendly styles, the album draws its inspiration from the likes of ‘70s songwriters (Elliott Smith, Andy Shauf) with the intimate instrumental work and larger meditative mood. Acoustic guitar is still expectedly the main attraction on many of the tracks, like the cozy fireplace strumming on “I Guess”, or the doleful plucked lines on the haunting “Like It Tends To Do”, but the piano often steals the most hard-hitting moments on the record. The thirteenth track, which Lizzy has always dedicated to her dad’s passing on the same day, places one of the most beautiful and hallowed passages of piano underneath piercing reflections on her everlasting pain (“March”).
What does remain consistent across all Lizzy’s albums is her acute ability to capture young love. Whether processing guilt and responsibility for an ex-partner’s substance abuse (“Drunk, Running”), or savoring an instant spark before it inevitable fizzles out (“Come Down Soon”), there’s a nuance to her songwriting that gives respect to the experiences of young romance.
This nuance is what can make ‘Older’ a powerful soundtrack for growing into or out of relationships. With plenty of food for thought, as well as food to just enjoy, wide-eyed romantics can eat well.
Highlight(s): I Guess; Drunk, Running; Come Down Soon; Older; March; Like It Tends To Do; Staying; Vortex
Lowlight(s): You Forced Me To
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