Lizzy McAlpine is settled and vulnerable in her newest album, singing more about love than ever before.
Lizzy McAlpine is settled and vulnerable in her newest album, singing more about love than ever before.
TikTok’s favorite indie-pop-folk artist Lizzy McAlpine has returned with her entrancing fourth studio album, “Angel,” released Sept. 18.
Two years since her last record, the multitalented artist has kept busy,spending time touring, acting on stage and screen and falling in love with musician and producer Kane Richotte.
While her previous hits like “ceilings” and “Pushing It Down and Praying” have become staples for the sad girls, McAlpine’s newest album has much lighter themes, showcasing her complicated journey through heartbreak, love and everything in between.
The record opens with “The light in the painting,” a rare love song from McAlpine and a luminous ode to the beginning stages of falling in love. Between satisfying harmonies in the chorus and an overall ethereal tone, this song beautifully captures how it feels to be safe enough to fall after being in the dark for so long.
Known for her songs about strenuous relationships and overall despair, McAlpine seems lighter than ever, singing, “What a beautiful way to finally feel something.”
However, the darkness returns in “Anybody’s fool,” introducing McAlpine’s recurring reflections on working through heartbreak and moving on.
“I know this is right and I know that it’s sad,” McAlpine sings, lamenting. “I like the way it feels to not be anybody’s fool.”
Following with “A car wash and a new pair of pants,” McAlpine reaches the anger stage of mourning a past relationship, feeling used for her fame. The song introduces a uniquely satisfying lilting sound with the help of her precise vocals, bringing a biting air to the previous breathy tracks.
Fans have speculated this new sound is influenced by the Broadway production McAlpine recently starred in, “Floyd Collins.” The musical was sonically inspired by the genres of folk and bluegrass.
“I have a friend” returns to a hopelessly romantic state, offering an intimate look into her current relationship, describing pure love and contentment.
“There is no place without his love to make it home,” McAlpine sings, guided by the complex combination of an electric piano and acoustic guitar, making the song a lullaby in all the best ways.
McAlpine circles back to her melancholic and thoughtful roots with “The moon” and “Ugly things,” both offering gloomy lyrics contrasting with light instrumentals and vocals that emphasize the complicated emotions involved.
“Soldier of the road” is the only song on the album to include a featured artist, indie-folk band Fleet Foxes. The song tells the story of a couple, “Looking for a little love, looking for a little relief.”
With a grittier, almost medieval sound, it’s reminiscent of Taylor Swift’s “cowboy like me” in theme and storyline.
Again returning to a lighter tone, “Peach” is an introspective ballad recounting the final stage of a breakup — acceptance.
The 27-year-old artist’s strong emotions continue in “Over country,” but this time as an ode to long-distance friendships. Recorded in one take, the five minute song is confident and secure.
The album follows with “Two elevens” -– a vulnerable realization she’s fully healed after a past relationship that just didn’t work out.
“There was love once / There was fire / We had something / That’s all that matters,” McAlpine croons.
“Our strange ways” follows, which explores the hypothetical of an alternate universe where she isn’t famous or with her current partner. It’s a multidimensional song, simultaneously mourning the loss of her career and lover. The song ends, revealing it was all just a dream, and she’d been lying next to him in bed the whole time.
As the album begins to wrap up, McAlpine dedicates a song to her friend, guitarist and co-producer Mason Stoops on “Mason’s song.” A beautiful testament to their relationship, the track offers an apologetic and genuine perspective on friendship and its difficulties.
McAlpine always dedicates the 13th song on her albums to her late father, and this may be her most heartbreaking one yet. “The crowd” is a vulnerable ballad of regret and hard work, featuring only McAlpine and a piano.
“Everything I do / I make it big so you can hear the crowd,” McAlpine sings.
The final track on this album is titular track “Angel.” Returning to a romantic tone, this song suggests predetermination of her current relationship and the love in everyday moments.
The record paints a wide range of feelings in the stages of a relationship, offering something for everyone and giving McAlpine a chance to anchor herself in the folk genre. However, there was great potential for a clear storyline that is — disappointingly — unfulfilled, making the album feel somewhat disorganized and confusing.
“Angel” feels like opening up an old journal — raw, unfiltered, complicated and emotional. It feels like sitting right next to McAlpine as she constructs and masters melodies that make the audience feel the complex emotions of love and loss. It feels like the first few days of spring and realizing there’s more to life than a heavy winter coat.
“Angel” is now available to stream everywhere.
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