On April 5, 2024, singer-songwriter Lizzy McAlpine dropped her album, “Older,” with 14 tracks. Fans enjoyed the album but were even more excited to learn that McAlpine would be dropping a deluxe version, with five more tracks, on Oct. 4 of this year.
“Method acting like you love me / Living constantly in pain.”
In the first deluxe track, “Method Acting (Demo),” McAlpine reflects upon a tenuous relationship with a past boyfriend. She explains that both of them have been methodically acting, a concept where actors identify with their character through experiences to convey genuine, expressive emotion when acting. She shows how devastating the relationship has become as both her and her partner hurt one another, but still stay together and put on the facade of being in a healthy, loving relationship.
“I wanna know peace again / I need to want somethin’ more.”
With the soft sound of a guitar strumming, McAlpine continues to stay on the theme of romantic turmoil in “Pushing it Down and Praying,” as she conveys that she is physically intimate with one person, even though she emotionally wants to be with someone else. She feels guilt for not being as committed to the current relationship compared to her partner but also confused about her own feelings. As the song progresses, the guitar instrumentals become more intense and are complemented by beats of the drum, while McAlpine’s voice comes across more strong than it was previously.
It reflects how her inner turmoil becomes stronger and she cannot deny her feelings, even if it hurts her partner.
“We could’ve had it / But then again / We never could’ve done it.”
In “Soccer Practice,” McAlpine depicts herself in a married relationship, where her spouse picks up their kids from soccer practice, while she does the grocery shopping. Even while being in a serious relationship and having a domestic role, McAlpine feels trapped and even though she wants to leave the relationship, she still stays. She wants a better relationship as she is waiting for someone “who will make [her] say no” to her husband.
The lyrics finish about halfway through the song, with the remaining half consisting of a soft piano ballad and muffled singing which has been reversed.
“Who are we / When all this settles?”
Still reflecting on the turmoils of a relationship, McAlpine compares her and her lover to “the falling of a sword” and “the crashing of the car” in “Force of Nature.” She understands that this relationship was bound to end, but she’s anxious to rediscover her identity after the breakup. She is constantly going between the past and future, wondering who her and her ex will be once the relationship subsides.
With a repetitive guitar instrumental in the background, McAlpine’s voice shines as she belts certain notes and incorporates some echoes of the lyrics as well.
“Running back to you / You’re always gonna be someone that I want.”
Though she is fully broken up with her ex, McAlpine sings that she will always crave this relationship and she would always run back to her ex in “Spring into Summer.” As seasons change, McAlpine strongly holds onto her past relationship, even if it hurts her. With this song concluding the album, it shows that McAlpine is still hung up on her breakup, but slowly and steadily she will heal.
“Older (and Wiser),” complements the themes of break-up and self-discovery that was introduced in the original album. All five deluxe tracks show McAlpine reflecting upon her past relationship, and the emotional damage she has faced. Nearly all the tracks have slow, acoustic beginnings which sometimes transition into louder tunes created with the electric guitar.
Ultimately, McAlpine takes the touchy subject of a break-up and conveys personal growth through her tracks. As McAlpine becomes “Older,” fans cannot wait to see what she comes out with next.
