Lizzy McAlpine released her fourth studio album “Older (and Wiser)” on Oct. 4, 2024. It’s a deluxe version of her previous album “Older” which was released on April 5, 2024, with five additional songs. The original album contained fourteen songs holding themes of bittersweet longing and loss.
The new additions continue her journey of reflection and growth, hence the name. To McAlpine, the word “older” seems to represent not just age maturation but also growing out of past habits and watching past things go, ready to open your eyes to a bigger, better picture.
Her songs on the album are intimate yet represent universal experiences. “Method Acting (Demo)”, the first new track, paints a picture of avoiding conflict in a relationship by “acting” your way through it, allowing conflict and spikes in the road to pass, though it may ache on the inside.
“Method acting like you love me, living constantly in pain.”
The second bonus track is “Pushing it Down and Praying”. It explores McAlpine’s desire for intimacy but reluctance due to the vulnerability that comes along with it. Deeper feelings overwhelm McAlpine as she achieves intimacy, telling herself, “I need to want something more; he gives what he can, but now I don’t know what he’s giving for.”
Inevitability is the main theme of the next song: “Soccer Practice”. McAlpine finds struggle in change. “I’m waiting for someone who will make me say no to you.”
The theme of the next song, “Force of Nature” is the avoidance of bringing up the past and finding out who you are.
“Who am I if not your lover?”
To close the album, in “Spring into Summer” McAlpine uses the change of seasons as a metaphor for change in a relationship and how hard it is to let go. The past tugging at her sleeve, McAlpine yearns to know what would be different if she could change the past.
“Spring into summer, and the winter’s gone, I try to hold on to it, but the current’s too strong.”
My personal favorite songs are “Soccer Practice”, “Spring Into Summer”, and “Force of Nature” . They have different sounds compared to “Method Acting” and “Pushing It Down and Praying”, which are especially similar in theme and sound. Both these songs display raw vocals, with less instrumentals. The theme of both is turning a blind eye and just hoping for the best in a relationship. Although both songs are well crafted, only one of them was really necessary to add to the album given that both added the same tone and expression to the album.
Overall, the album provides anthems of experiencing change, accepting it, and the struggles of learning how to live without a second half for a bit.
“And now I’m here forever, running back to you.” (Spring Into Summer).
