By Kelly Kim
Correspondent
After the release of her third studio album, “Older,” back in April, Lizzy McAlpine released a version of the album, “Older (and Wiser),” on Oct. 4.
McAlpine provided her listeners with five new songs on top of the 14 already on the original tracklist: “Method Acting (Demo),” “Pushing It Down and Praying,” “Soccer Practice,” “Force of Nature” and “Spring Into Summer.”
After she released “Pushing It Down and Praying” and teased “Spring Into Summer” before the deluxe album’s release date, I was uncertain about how McAlpine could have songs that would be able to top some favorites of mine from the original record. However, time and time again, she proves that she can write soulful, meaningful songs that sit heavy on the soul and deep in one’s consciousness.
When I heard “Pushing It Down and Praying,” I initially had mixed feelings about the song, but after you listen to it a couple of times, it quickly becomes a favorite. Her use of volume with instrumentals makes for a rollercoaster of emotions.
The track first welcomes the listener in with soft melodic tunes, then includes boisterous and ominous guitar strings that allow the audience to experience the rocky state of her past relationship. While it first felt and seemed inviting, by the end it felt very unstable and shaky.
There was a noticeable shift in the production of the track. She opens up the song with what seems to sound like vocals recorded on her phone. We hear a stronger production throughout, but still not as refined as her original 14 tracks, giving a more stripped-down and personal feeling with the new songs.
The same pattern can be witnessed with the rest of the new songs, especially in “Spring Into Summer” and “Soccer Practice,” in which the listener can hear a more laid-back production tied to incredibly powerful lyricism.
My favorite of the deluxe is “Spring Into Summer.” Not only do the soothing and simple sounds of the acoustic guitar pair nicely with McAlpine’s equally soothing vocals, but I adore how the song focuses on life-long, sustained friendships and what that means to her.
The song is a sweet and heartfelt message that allows the audience to sit back and think about their closest friendships and what it means to have such special and meaningful people in their lives. It embraces the changes that come with the seasons that can mark new beginnings with old friends, even if you live a life completely separate from one another.
McAlpine shares with her audience the comfort one feels knowing there is a mutual appreciation shared between two lifelong friends, and that while life can change, the friendship remains.
With the addition of her new songs, McAlpine lets her audience and listeners know that there are still lessons to be learned, moments to be cherished and hardships to be faced as you keep growing older.
