Lizzy McAlpine’s Older and Wiser: A Stunning Portrait of Growth, Love, and Pain
One of the main attributes that makes Lizzy McAlpine’s Older and Wiser album so easy to connect with is her raw authenticity. She proves this with her natural ability to intertwine brutally honest lyrics with specific instrumental choices that perfectly align with the stories told — both within each song and across the album as a whole. Throughout, McAlpine fearlessly exposes her flaws, particularly those that emerge within the complexity of romantic relationships. It’s these vulnerable confessions that resonate so deeply with listeners. Unlike many artists who explore romantic relationships, McAlpine never falls into the trap of becoming a simple "breakup artist." Instead, she writes fresh takes on familiar emotions, revisiting the same relationship experience from multiple angles. This rare ability highlights the album’s overarching theme: personal growth and maturation.
The album opens with "The Elevator," marking the beginning of a new relationship and introducing the album's central themes. The hopeful, dreamy, romantic lyrics—"And suddenly, the only thing I saw was you"—capture the intoxicating rush of new love. The elevator becomes a symbolic enclosed space, an escape from reality, where the stakes quickly rise: "And suddenly, I had everything to lose." The soft, stable piano contrasts with the lyrics’ swift emotional escalation, while airy backing vocals and a gradual layering of instruments evoke the fragile excitement of this new connection.
Following this is "Come Down Soon," which immediately paints vivid imagery through dialogue—“Do you come here often?” “I have to laugh cause that's so cliché.” The song captures both the thrill and the apprehension of new romance, with self-destructive thoughts lurking beneath the surface: “Oh, it’ll come down soon. Nothing this good ever lasts this long for me.” The acoustic guitar and steady drum beat create a bouncy, nervous energy, while light piano notes and harmonies reflect the McAlpine’s battle between hope and her persistent fear of inevitable heartbreak.
With "Like It Tends To Do," McAlpine chronicles the beginning of the relationship’s unraveling. The title itself is a callback to the previous track, reinforcing the repetitive damaging mindset that “relationships and the initial spark never last.” The lyrics explore disconnection—“We have cordial conversations, don’t know why I feel I’m faking something”—while the soft, low guitar and gentle piano mirror the growing emotional distance. Her voice crescendos with frustration—“I can’t tell if it felt like we had nothing to lose”—only to retreat into resignation, embodying her struggle to fully confront the crumbling relationship.
"Movie Star" takes a more introspective turn, delving into identity and self-worth within the relationship. Lyrics like “Famous to someone” and “He chose me out of everyone” capture both the disbelief and the subtle ego boost of being chosen despite insecurities. Yet beneath the surface lies confusion and loss of self: “Who am I to you? Who am I to myself? What are you changing about me?” The alternating high and low guitar chords reflect this emotional push and pull, while layered harmonies serve as the voice in her head wrestling with these internal conflicts.
The album takes a darker, heavier turn with "Drunk, Running," addressing the destructive cycles of alcoholism and codependency. McAlpine’s heartbreakingly honest lyrics—“No one stops you. Nobody takes it from your hand even when you break your leg drunk, running”—expose the guilt and helplessness of loving someone trapped in addiction. The deep, repetitive piano mirrors this relentless cycle, while layered vocals and quickening drums amplify the escalating emotional turmoil, culminating in the devastating confession: “I’m so sorry I stayed when I shouldn’t.”
"Broken Glass" continues this harrowing narrative, blending vivid, violent imagery with emotional vulnerability: “Broken glass on the table. Pick it up, hold it to your throat.” The haunting pluck of the guitar, eerie violin, and booming drums create a cinematic climax, capturing the relationship’s volatile carousel of pain: “It might seem like I love you, but I just don’t want to be alone.” The lowered harmonies and shifting instrumentals perfectly mirror her haunting realization as she confronts the damage done to both herself and her partner.
Finally, "Older" offers a sense of acceptance. “Thought it’d be over by now. Thought you would leave. Thought I would come to my senses.” Revisiting this song after being removed from the intensity of the breakup lends it maturity and grace. The simple piano ballad allows her voice and story to shine without hiding behind complex instrumentals, embodying the self-awareness and hopeful acceptance that comes with growth.
In one of the bonus tracks, "Pushing it Down and Praying," McAlpine exposes the complexity of dissociation in intimacy: “When I close my eyes, you replace him. Wearin’ no disguise, you erase him.” Torn between stability and emotional fulfillment, she confesses her internal struggle with stunning vulnerability: “I want you to need me. I need to want something more.” The longing vocals carry both shame and desire, perfectly capturing the struggle between settling and seeking something deeper.
Throughout the album, Lizzy McAlpine delivers a masterclass in emotional storytelling, fearlessly confronting vulnerability, codependency, and personal evolution. Her relatable yet poetic lyrics, paired with intentional and emotionally charged instrumentation, create an experience that resonates deeply with anyone who’s ever navigated the complexities of love, heartbreak, and growth. Each track is a step in her journey—raw, intimate, and profoundly human.