People are messy, and being in a relationship with them, be it platonic, professional, familial, or romantic, are each uniquely complicated. In her expanded 3rd album, Older (and Wiser) Lizzy McAlpine takes an introspective look back at her past while simultaneously seeking to gain some understanding of how people fall in and out of love. Performing an almost post-mortem on her own past, McAlpine attempts to get down to the truths of the human condition.
The title track “Elevator” takes a trip down memory lane for McAlpine as she looks back at a relationship and reminisces over the joy she once held, and where it all went. For the first song of the album, “Elevator” does an effective job of introducing listeners to the sonic landscape of Older and (and Wiser). It’s still the same smooth crooning you’d expect, but with a much more active, and almost country-esque twang to accompany the vocals.
The next track I wanna focus on is “All Falls Down.” While I didn’t expect Mcalpine to utilize horns giving the tone of her music, She does so brilliantly. From the blurb that accompanied the albums’ Apple Music release: “Originally it was Slow and Ballad-y, because that’s what the lyrics feel like, but it evolved into this fun, upbeat number. I really love the juxtaposition.”Not unlike the soundtrack to It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, McAlpine knows how to create a tonal riff between what people are hearing, and what people are experiencing.
This expansion into new sounds is not just a stunt, as track “I Guess” demonstrates that McAlpine can and will integrate seldom-used instrumentation to great effect. The lyrics are your standard McAlpine fare—they’re woven out of yearning for and reflecting on a relationship that may or may not have reached its expiry date. The last minute of pure instrumentals is where the magic is at. As the guitar and drums reach a crescendo, with horns coming into play once again. “I Guess” is pure McAlpine.
While lost romance and love are recurring themes for McAlpine, they have never been so fully fleshed out in “You Forced Me To.” Accompanied by her classic acoustic guitar and newly paired with baroque-style piano, McAlpine spirals into resentment toward her partner for making her change who she really is. The piano is evocative of a French chanson, but with diametrically opposed themes. Some people may be disappointed with the turn into baroque pop, away from the electronic fusion seen in “Five Seconds Flat” (where I was first exposed to Lizzy McAlpine, after seeing a wonderfully crafted rendition of “Erase Me” from a Harvard a capella group), but it works so well in this track.
But not every Track in “Older and (Wiser)” is a hit; unfortunately, there are some duds in the mix, including title track “Older.” Chalk it up to my personal opinion, but feels too generic relative to the rest of McAlpine’s discography (at least the parts I’ve listened to). It just goes to show that not every album can be hit after hit. This doesn’t mean the “Older” is mediocre or poorly produced. It just means that in an album characterized by taking bold risks on instrumentation, it sticks out.
That’s also not to say that McAlpine reverts to retreading tired tropes in this album, with tracks such as “Broken Glass.” The track details a bitter relationship reaching the apex of resentment; McAlpine admits that while both parties have suffered, she didn’t start it. What sets this track apart is its bombastic drums rising in volume and intensity—without losing McAlpine’s signature vocal tenderness. She’s learning to break free from the misery of the past, and it shows here.
Now, for the end of Track 1, “Vortex” is what I feel is the best integration of a piano into an predominantly non-electric amplified track in a long time. It masterfully portrays the highs and lows of McAlpine seeking resolution for a relationship long lost. This is McAlpine at her best, using seemingly common instrumentals to create something fresh and bespoke when it comes to establishing a vibe so to say.
Overall, this album is good. However, everything I just spoke about is six months old, and you didn’t come here for me to rehash old sentiments. No—you came here for fresh music journalism, and fortunately, McAlpine released a deluxe album with five extra tracks listed in “Older and (Wiser)” as Track 2.
Starting off with “Method Acting (Demo),” McAlpine goes with what works. While it’s nothing special, stans will appreciate the ability to experience some of her work that isn’t so polished. If anything, this McAlpine at her rawest.
Then on to “Pushing It Down and Praying,” McAlpine takes a bit of a left field into the risque, but manages to do so without turning it into a stunt. It reminds me of “Everybody Loves Louis,” from Sunday in Park with George, but trading the taunting with deep introspection. As she thinks of a former lover while being intimate with another. McAlpine gets the most vulnerable in this track. I also adore her Americana-infused electric guitar in the chorus. This is, in my opinion, the best song in the album, and I hope she moves towards this soft-spoken Sheryl Crow-ish sound.
While much of this album is devoted to reflecting on the past, track “Soccer Practice” contemplates McAlpine’s future with her partner as she falls into the monotony of suburban life. But even in thinking about what will be, McAlpine can’t stop herself from thinking about what could’ve been. McAlpine’s songwriting has reached a new level, and we can only look in awe at the upward trajectory.
This second disc is also not immune to songs that feel retreaded. Unfortunately, that includes “Force of Nature.”. Like with what I said about “Older,” it’s not a bad track—it just doesn’t bring anything unique to the table.
This brings us to the last track, “Spring into Summer,” which is one of the most hopeful and upbeat tracks from McAlpine I’ve heard. Call it jarring, but I really enjoy its placement in the album. We’ve spent so much time with McAlpine looking back at the hurt of previous relationships, only to now have her find peace and resolution, accompanied by an active guitar and buoyant backing vocals. Has McAlpine found peace, or is it all in her head like with “Ceilings” or “Five Seconds Flat”?
Looking at it from a whole, “Older (and Wiser)” is about growth and maturity, both personally, and musically. McAlpine is learning how to break out of her shell, explore new forms of instrumentation without straying from her routes, and how to sort through her past and use it as fuel for growth in the future.
