Singer-songwriter Lizzy McAlpine released her third studio album, “Older,” produced by herself, Mason Stoops, Ryan Lerman, Jeremy Most and Tony Berg. The album features 14 songs, including two singles, “Older” and “I Guess.”
McAlpine told the Zach Sang Show that she started this album right when she got out of a relationship. In the first month of this relationship, she thought it was the best relationship she had ever been in, until he broke up with her because she was too sad. They go through different phases together of reigniting their relationship then letting it fizzle out.
“This album really demonstrated her growth as a person and as an artist, and it was so raw and emotional,” said Boston student Alice Scollins. “I love the new layer of depth she has with her songs.”
The album begins with the track “The Elevator,” which sets a tone of hopeful beginnings. “Older” mainly features guitar and piano. The simplicity adds to the devastation felt throughout the album. After “The Elevator” is “Come Down Soon” highlighting her doubt that this relationship will last due to how her previous relationships took their course.
The track list flips back and forth between hope of a new start, to mourning heartbreak. “Staying” is sixth on the album. In this song she sings, “Maybe I would be okay / If I let this go forever / Hold me until I find the nerve.” She clearly wants to be with this person but it never works out.
The next song, “I Guess,” starts the chorus with, “I guess it’s all about timing / I guess it’s all about the / things you want but never get.” Later she changes this to, “I guess it’s all about dying / to love someone.” She started with wanting to be with this person but he broke it off. Next, they do get back together, but it just isn’t the same. She wants to love him but just doesn’t.
“Drunk, Running” is the next track, where the person McAlpine loves has a problem with alcohol. “Someone ought to hold you to your words,” she sings, “Say I love you then drink it backwards.” The next lines follow how she could be the one who caused the problem by staying when she didn’t love him anymore. She then compares her lover to drinking, how she knows she shouldn’t be with him anymore but she can’t keep herself away. The next song, “Broken Glass” outlines what happens when a relationship outlasts the love they have for each other.
“Older,” the title track, is the album’s thesis. “Thought it’d be over by now,” she sings, “Thought you would leave / Thought I would come to my senses.” McAlpine is stuck in the constant loop of their relationship and she can’t seem to get out of it.
“Older” is McAlpine’s third album, after “Give Me a Minute” and “five seconds flat.” This album shows her growth and deepened maturity not given in the previous albums. “ceilings” from “five seconds flat” grew her popularity exponentially after it went viral on TikTok in 2023.
Lizzy McAlpine starts the tour for this album on April 21, but she will be in Boston on June 21 and June 22 at MGM Music Hall in Fenway.