Album Review: ‘Older’ by Lizzy McAlpine

Written over the course of three years and produced alongside Mason Stoops, Ryan Lerman, Jeremy Most, and Tony Berg, this album differs from her previous work. Where her first two records were heavily produced, this album was recorded with a different perspective, only capturing one or “a couple” takes for each track. This method resulted in a mature sound, showcasing a lot of artistic growth for McAlpine. Despite the difference in production, this rawer sound has received acclaim not only from her fans but from music critics as well.

Lyrically, the artist has always been honest in her writing, using her words to string up a story and carrying the listener along to experience it. Older is no exception. Written while she was in a relationship, as well as after said relationship ended, McAlpine draws inspiration from her own experience for this record, each track depicting a journey of its own. Apart from working well individually, every song in Older contributes to the bigger story the album presents.

Less than two minutes long, ‘The Elevator’ is the album’s opening track. The song eases you in with a piano melody and McAlpine´s soft voice, both music and lyrics capturing the experience of falling in love. ‘Come Down Soon’ starts playing shortly after, the transition so seamless that it successfully immerses you into the record without even realising it. The love theme continues, this time including the fear of loss: “I’m biding time ´till it disappears.” With guitar picking as a backdrop, ‘Like It Tends To Do’ adds uncertainty as a theme, and the added musical layers help illustrate the complexity of all the existing themes. ‘Movie Star’ then goes on to explore these, as well as bringing up power dynamics in a relationship. This ties in with the toxicity present in relationships discussed throughout the record.

‘All Falls Down’ brings a slight change after the first tracks on the album, providing a wistful sound, the string harmonies accompanying McAlpine´s voice. Followed by ‘Staying’ and ‘I Guess,’ all three of them building up instrumentally, adding some intensity as the record goes on while still maintaining cohesiveness. ‘Drunk, Running’ and ‘Broken Glass’ follow suit, playing with the emotion in the music. They also bring up more serious themes such as alcoholism: “Caught you in bed with a Red Bull vodka,” and emotional violence: “Broken glass on the table / Pick it up, hold it to your throat,” all part of the toxicity mentioned before. ‘You Forced Me To’ then talks about guilt and the complicated nature of a relationship.

Next is ‘Older’, the title track and lead single. It speaks of nostalgia and the fear that comes with the passage of time: “Moms getting older / I’m wanting it back.” As the lead single, it was the first introduction to the album prior to its release, already allowing the listeners to sense the importance of the themes mentioned, and their relevance to the rest of the album. ‘Better Than This’ brings up self-doubt and acceptance, also prevalent in the album since uncertain situations like a toxic relationship tend to be surrounded by self-doubt and difficulty in accepting a situation.

Many tracks on the album touch on the theme of loss, ‘March’ being one of them. In this case, the piano-driven track focuses on grief, mentioning McAlpine´s father, who passed away in 2020. Even as different types of loss are discussed throughout the album, it preserves its cohesive nature while being able to touch on the various themes and present them differently. The record ends with ‘Vortex,’ the longest track on the album, and its resolution. Alluding again to the past relationship, this song speaks about its end and the strength it takes to leave it: “Someday I’ll be able to let you go.” 

There is a sense of satisfaction when the last track comes to an end. After listening to the reflections of grief and heartbreak, you can’t help but relate to the uncertainty and the fear of loss of love, people, and time.

From start to finish, Older is proof of Lizzy McAlpine´s talent as a storyteller. The album feels complete, each track flowing smoothly into the next, fitting together like puzzle pieces. The music feels dynamic, with all the instrumental layers accompanying the story and providing richness to the themes. Whether it was the gradual build-up of intensity with the introduction of various instruments, or a simple piano melody bringing necessary clarity, McAlpine’s lyrics and music harmonise flawlessly in this album. Together, they leave a lasting impression on listeners, making Older not just an album to be heard, but an experience to be felt.