“Older” - Lizzy McAlpine Album Review

Lizzy McAlpine breaks through her own musical glass ceiling with her third studio album “Older.”

“Older” is incredibly reflective and represents the star’s intense escalation in popularity and growth through that over the last three years.

McAlpine’s known genre is indie-folk alternative and she stays true to that with this newest album but manages to add some flair with a jazzy touch in some of her more upbeat songs.

Beware this album plays the heartstrings like a ukulele. Be emotionally prepared to regret every dating situation you have ever considered, prepared to mourn, and if nothing else just cry.

The album starts short, sweet and heart shatteringly to the point with “The Elevator.”

McAlpine really decided to lyricize the immense human desire to be known and wanted with this 1:40 banger.

The use of the elevator visual sets the tone for the story McAlpine is about to tell through the next 13 songs.

She delivers heart-wrenching lyrics in the same soft whispery demeanor she has used throughout her first two albums.

Her light vocals intensify the heaviness of her lyrics.

“Come Down Soon” is McAlpine’s anthem for the relationship skeptics. This guitar and snare drum-heavy song revolves around waiting for a relationship to inevitably turn for the worse.

She hits the nail on the head with the line, “Nothing this good’s ever really good for me.” McAlpine is so real for that.

The album never gets to a high excitement level but there are some songs that are more outgoing, “Come Down Soon” definitely being one of them. This may be the most notable song on the album.

A common theme of the album is the feeling of growing apart in a relationship which goes well with the motif of getting older.

In “Older,” a carousel ride is referenced. To the elite cultured, a carousel is the ultimate “Grey’s Anatomy” motif for life changing. This song is going to destroy the already emotional and media-addicted youth and young adults of America.

An absolutely agonizing lyric from the middle of the album comes from “Broken Glass”. McAlpine sings, “I know you’ve been hurt but you did it first to me.” Who hurt this woman?!

“Broken Glass” has a great percussion build up going into the bridge and throughout it.

The title track comes in four songs from the end and brings a change of pace to the album.

“Older” and the tracks following it are more emotionally driven by the unexpected loss of her father in March of 2020.

“March,” track 13, is a direct call back to this pivotal and tragic moment in the singer's life.

The denouement of the album is called “Vortex,” and McAlpine may have really saved the best for last.

This last anthem is truly beautiful and ends the story of “Older” on the best note.

This album is without a doubt incredible. McAlpine's popularity skyrocketed after her sophomore album blew up on TikTok, it is easy to assume that many of these songs will follow the same progression of popularity.

Best 45 minutes of the week could be spent listening to “Older,” but listeners should plan accordingly as they will need the next 45 hours to recover emotionally.

Rating: 8/10

Reviewer’s favorite songs: “Vortex”, “Come Down Soon”

Reviewer’s least favorite songs: “You Forced Me To”

Savannah Swartz is a third-year majoring in communications. To contact her, email sms9072@psu.edu.