Older | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | April 5, 2024 | |||
Studio | Nuffer Ranch (Pasadena) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 45:34 | |||
Label | RCA | |||
Producer |
| |||
Lizzy McAlpine chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Older | ||||
Alternative cover | ||||
Older is the third studio album and major-label debut by American singer-songwriter Lizzy McAlpine,released on April 5,2024,by RCA Records. It serves as the follow-up to her previous album, Five Seconds Flat (2022). McAlpine wrote and produced Older in Los Angeles with Mason Stoops,Ryan Lerman,Jeremy Most,Tony Berg,Taylor Mackall,and Ethan Gruska.
The album centers on relationships,heartbreak,and self-acceptance. Older is primarily a indie folk and chamber pop record,with elements of baroque pop. The album was preceded by the release of two singles:the title track on February 13,and "I Guess" on March 13;the former was promoted with a televised appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon . In support of Older,the singer embarked on the Older Tour in 2024,visiting North America and Europe.
Upon release,Older was met with positive reviews from music critics,with praise towards McAlpine's greater maturity and artistic growth. It debuted and peaked at number 93 on the US Billboard 200,while also charting moderately on the main charts in Australia,Flanders,Ireland,and New Zealand. A deluxe edition of the album,titled Older (and Wiser),was released on October 4,2024.
Lizzy McAlpine achieved critical and commercial success with her second studio album titled Five Seconds Flat ,released on April 8,2022. [1] In 2023,it marked her first appearance on the U.S. Billboard 200,after the non-single "Ceilings" went viral on the video-sharing service TikTok. [2] The song became McAlpine's first entry on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart,debuting at number 75 and later reaching number 54. [3] It eventually peaked within the top 10 in the United Kingdom. [4] Following its success,McAlpine made her debut televised performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and signed a music contract with RCA Records. [5] [6] In the same year,the singer collaborated with American singer Noah Kahan and Irish singer Niall Horan,and "burst onto" the indie scene. [7]
McAlpine embarked on two concert tours to promote her music. Explaining that her relationship with her songs are "a cycle that begins with her liking them before growing bored of [them]",according to the singer,the second tour was "hard" to do. [8] While she tried to figure out who she wanted to be as an artist,McAlpine started working on her next record. [8] On February 13,2024,McAlpine announced her major-label debut, [9] Older,set for release on April 5. [10] In a statement,McAlpine explained that "through the long and mostly tumultuous journey of making [the album],I have learned who I am as a person,who I want to be as an artist and what kind of art I want to make. This album is a culmination of that growth,showcasing the rawest and most honest version of me." [11] She continued saying that the goal of the project is to "strip away everything and find what sounded like [her]". [12] The album cover for Older was photographed by Michael Hanano. [13]
The writing and recording of Older took place over the course of three years. McAlpine began writing songs for Older during the recording sessions for Five Seconds Flat in 2021. [14] McAlpine started writing Older's songs when she was in a relationship,and "things changed" through the record's conception. [8] She "channelled the whirlwind of a past relationship" as inspiration. [15] "Like It Tends to Do" was the first song written for the album. [16]
The album was primarily recorded in Nuffer Ranch in Pasadena and produced by Mason Stoops,with additional production by Ryan Lerman of Scary Pockets,Jeremy Most,and Tony Berg. [17] It was largely recorded live with microphones tracking of the entire band at once. [18] McAlpine had begun recording Older with various producers in a trial-and-error manner with the album nearing completion by August 2023. However,the album's sound did not feel right for McAlpine. [14] In August 2023,McAlpine attended a Ryan Beatty concert in Los Angeles and became captivated by the cohesion of his backing band. [14] In October,McAlpine returned to the studio with Beatty's band to re-record almost half of Older. [19] The album's live recording sessions with Beatty's band took place over the course of two weeks. [14] McAlpine confirmed that the tracks on the album were recorded in one or "a couple" takes. [19] This is in contrast to her previous two albums Give Me a Minute and Five Seconds Flat that McAlpine says were "heavily produced and perfected,to the point where I don't even recognize myself in it anymore". [20] The best live takes,consisting of guitars,piano,bass and drums,would be selected from which overdubs would be added. [14] The album's mixing was also approached differently to Five Seconds Flat. Whereas Philip Etherington would be producing and mixing simultaneously as the sessions went along for Five Seconds Flat,mixing for Older was done at the end of the process. During the album's recording before mixing,this made McAlpine think "it's never gonna sound good". [19]
The album was conceived as the follow-up to her previous work,Five Seconds Flat (2022). Older predominantly has an indie folk [8] and chamber pop sound,with tendencies towards baroque pop. [12] According to Canadian music and entertainment publisher Exclaim! ,each song on the record represents a journey —"from trust to heartbreak,from naive to jaded,from love to loss" —and together they form an album of observations on the world. [21]
The album opens with "The Elevator",a one-minute and 44-second song which captures the experience of falling in love. It includes the backdrop of McAlpine's piano melody,carrying an optimistic lyrical premise. [22] On both "Come Down Soon" and "Like It Tends to Do",McAlpine continues to "muse about [the] pervasive feeling" of thinking she has something to lose. [22] On "Movie Star",which opens with slow guitar picking, [23] she touches on power dynamics in relationships. [19] The fifth track on the album,"All Falls Down",contains string harmonies and feels "wistful and airy". [12] "I Guess",the seventh track,is "a non-love song" with lyrics "filled with equal parts of uncertainty and acceptance". [24]
"Drunk,Running",the first track of the second half of the album,explores how alcoholism can "introduce tension into a relationship" while the next track,titled "Broken Glass",describes emotional violence. [12] The later and "You Forced Me To" frame accusations in "velvety,lugubrious" arrangements. [21] The previously released title track is a "pared-back" [25] voice-piano-electric guitar ballad, [26] described as "gut-wrenching". [27] It "bleeds nostalgia",reflecting on the ride of "a lost childhood". [21] On "Better Than This",there's "a glimmer of hope but it's built on disconnection and loneliness",as she sings:"What if I'm not a good person? / You always say that I am / But you don't know me at all now". [22] It deals with self-doubt and acceptance. [28] The penultimate song,"March",is a piano-driven ode to McAlpine's father Mark,with reflections on grief, [29] and feelings of love and loss. [28] McAlpine's father died in March 2020 and she had previously written about his death on "Headstones and Land Mines" from her debut album. [30] The closing track,"Vortex",is a resolution to Older's tale, [15] where McAlpine motivates herself "to gain the strength to leave a toxic never-ending relationship". [23] The album was originally to be titled Vortex. [31]
Older was preceded by the release of two singles. The title track,was announced on February 1 and released on February 13,2024,as the lead single from the album. [7] It became McAlpine's third entry on the U.S. Hot Rock &Alternative Songs chart published by Billboard ,peaking at number 33. [32] On March 27,2024,McAlpine performed the song live for the first time on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon . [33] The second single from the album,titled "I Guess",was released via streaming platforms on March 13,2024. [20] It reached the number 36 on the same chart. [34]
On September 6,2024,a one hour documentary titled Older:The Making of the Album was released on YouTube. It was directed by Neema Sadeghi and chronicles the recording process of Older at the Nuffer Ranch studio in Pasadena,California. [35] The deluxe edition of the album,titled Older (and Wiser),was released on October 4,2024,with five new tracks. [36] The bonus tracks were recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York City. [37] It was supported by the release of the single "Pushing It Down and Praying" on September 20;the song was released alongside a music video,which features a special appearance from American singer-songwriter Role Model. [38]
To promote the album,McAlpine embarked on The Older Tour,with dates in Amsterdam,Berlin,Cologne,Paris,London,Manchester,Birmingham,Dublin,and different cities in the United States. [39] It began on April 21,2024 and will end on October 31. [40]
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 85/100 [41] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [42] |
DIY | [43] |
Dork | [44] |
Exclaim! | 8/10 [21] |
The Line of Best Fit | 8/10 [12] |
PopMatters | 7/10 [45] |
Sputnikmusic | 4.0/5 [46] |
Upon release,Older received generally positive reviews from music critics,with praise towards McAlpine's greater maturity and artistic growth. According to the review aggregator Metacritic ,Older received "universal acclaim" based on a weighted average score of 85 out of 100 from 6 critic scores. [41]
Matt Collar of AllMusic described Older as a "lovely and bittersweet experience",with crafting songs that are "as lyrical and delicately rendered as they are affecting". [42] According to Elise Ryan,writing for the Associated Press,McAlpine navigates "grief and growing older" on Older. [29] In a review for Exclaim! ,Aisling Murphy wrote that the album represents McAlpine entering "a new era of her career" following McAlpine's self-admitted ambivalence towards the success of "Ceilings". The critic also predicted that "Vortex" will become "her next catalog-defining anthem". [21]
Matthew Kim of The Line of Best Fit called Older "an ornate exploration of coming-of-age" that can capture a "deeply intimate feel". [12] However,Kim criticized Older's ornate instrumentation as lacking in some regards as it strips back many of the electronic elements on Five Seconds Flat in favor of simpler acoustic guitar and piano compositions. Namely,he criticized the album's title track as being "lyrically interesting but instrumentally lacking". [12] Writing for DIY,Rhian Daly stated that the album's songs "grow and swell with poignant instrumentation,but know exactly when to strip things back to just the singer's voice and a guitar,letting her words shine and deliver an emotional sucker punch to the heart",and that they "prioritise artistry over chasing fame". [8] On the album, BroadwayWorld found McAlpine "stepping into newfound confidence,discovering her voice and defining her artistry with profound simplicity". [1] Melodic Magazine 's Clare Gehlich cited "Drunk,Running","Like It Tends to Do",and "Vortex" as highlights on the album. [22]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "The Elevator" |
|
| 1:40 |
2. | "Come Down Soon" | McAlpine | 3:44 | |
3. | "Like It Tends to Do" | McAlpine |
| 3:25 |
4. | "Movie Star" |
|
| 1:32 |
5. | "All Falls Down" | McAlpine |
| 2:51 |
6. | "Staying" | McAlpine |
| 2:31 |
7. | "I Guess" |
|
| 3:44 |
8. | "Drunk, Running" |
|
| 4:05 |
9. | "Broken Glass" |
|
| 3:40 |
10. | "You Forced Me To" | McAlpine | McAlpine | 3:03 |
11. | "Older" |
|
| 3:21 |
12. | "Better Than This" | McAlpine |
| 3:34 |
13. | "March" |
|
| 2:41 |
14. | "Vortex" | McAlpine |
| 5:43 |
Total length: | 45:34 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
15. | "Method Acting (Demo)" |
|
| 3:38 |
16. | "Pushing It Down and Praying" | McAlpine |
| 3:54 |
17. | "Soccer Practice" |
|
| 3:58 |
18. | "Force of Nature" |
|
| 4:02 |
19. | "Spring Into Summer" |
|
| 4:22 |
Total length: | 65:28 |
Notes
Musicians
Technical
Chart (2024) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australian Albums (ARIA) [47] | 76 |
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [48] | 117 |
Irish Albums (IRMA) [49] | 70 |
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) [50] | 35 |
Scottish Albums (OCC) [51] | 47 |
UK Album Downloads (OCC) [52] | 50 |
UK Americana Albums (OCC) [53] | 4 |
US Billboard 200 [54] | 93 |
Region | Date | Format(s) | Edition | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Various | April 5, 2024 | Standard | RCA | [55] | |
June 14, 2024 | Vinyl LP | [56] | |||
October 4, 2024 |
| Older (and Wiser) | [57] |
Fumbling Towards Ecstasy is the third studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan, released on 22 October 1993 in Canada, 15 February 1994 in the United States, 24 May 1994 in Japan, and 14 August 1994 in Australia. It was produced by Pierre Marchand in Montreal; McLachlan wrote most of the album while living in a small house near Marchand's studio.
The Spirit of Christmas, officially titled as Michael W. Smith & Friends: The Spirit of Christmas is a duet Christmas album by Christian recording artist Michael W. Smith, released on September 30, 2014, through Capitol Records. This is Smith's fourth Christmas album. His previous Christmas album, It's a Wonderful Christmas, was released in 2007. The Spirit of Christmas won 2015 Dove Award for Christmas Album of the Year.
Love Somebody is the twenty-ninth studio album from American country music singer Reba McEntire. It was released on April 14, 2015, by Nash Icon. This is McEntire's first studio album since the 2010 release of All the Women I Am. "Going Out Like That" was released as the album's first single on January 6, 2015, and it has charted within the top 30 of Country Airplay. McEntire produced the album with Tony Brown, James Stroud, and Doug Sisemore. The album has also been released on LP.
Eyes Wide Open is the debut studio album by American singer Sabrina Carpenter. It was released by Hollywood Records on April 14, 2015. Carpenter began planning the project in 2014, after she launched her debut EP Can't Blame a Girl for Trying, as she wanted to make a full-length LP. All the tracks on that EP were included on the album. The album was recorded from 2013 - 2015 with the majority of the album being recorded in 2014. Musically, Eyes Wide Open is a pop record with folk, pop rock and teen pop influences. Its production consists of guitars, piano, drums and keyboards. Thematically, the album focuses on Carpenter's personal experiences, friendship, love and teenage problems.
Lust for Life is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter, and record producer Lana Del Rey, released on July 21, 2017, through Polydor and Interscope Records worldwide and Urban Records in Germany. Marking a return to the "hip-hop inspired" sound of her major-label debut, Lust for Life features production from past collaborators Rick Nowels, Kieron Menzies and Emile Haynie, while also working for the first time with producers Boi-1da, Max Martin, Benny Blanco and Metro Boomin. It also features guest appearances from The Weeknd, ASAP Rocky, Stevie Nicks, Sean Lennon, and Playboi Carti. The album and its title were announced on March 29, 2017, through a trailer on Del Rey's official Vevo channel on YouTube.
Stronger Than the Truth is the thirty-second studio album by American country music singer Reba McEntire. It was released on April 5, 2019, by Big Machine Records. The album was nominated for Best Country Album at the 62nd Grammy Awards.
Elizabeth Catherine McAlpine is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. Born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, McAlpine began gaining recognition by posting original songs and covers online on the platforms SoundCloud and YouTube.
In the Meantime is the third studio album by Canadian singer and songwriter Alessia Cara, released on September 24, 2021, by Def Jam Recordings. Cara collaborated with Jon Levine, Salaam Remi and Joel Little among several other producers on the project. Deemed as a concept album based "In the meantime between life and death", the album unravels the anxieties of introspection, healing, love and self-reflection.
"I Guess" is a song recorded and written by American singer-songwriter Lizzy McAlpine from her third studio album, Older (2024). Jeremy Most and Ryan Lerman also worked on the writing of the song, while producing it along with McAlpine and Mason Stoops. "I Guess" was released on March 13, 2024, as the second single from the album, following the release of the title track exactly one month before.
I Used to Think I Could Fly is the debut studio album by Canadian singer and songwriter Tate McRae, released on May 27, 2022, through RCA Records. It was preceded by the singles "Feel Like Shit", "She's All I Wanna Be", "Chaotic" and "What Would You Do?". McRae embarked on a tour in support of the album in June 2022. The album was met with positive reviews from music critics, and saw commercial success, entering the top 10 in various countries, while debuting at number thirteen on the US Billboard 200.
Stick Season is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Noah Kahan, who also served as producer alongside Gabe Simon. It was released on October 14, 2022, by Mercury Records and Republic Records. The album was supported by two singles: the title track and "Northern Attitude". An expanded edition of the album, titled Stick Season , was released on June 9, 2023, with seven additional tracks, including an extended version of "The View Between Villages".
"Would've, Could've, Should've" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. It is a bonus track originally released as part of the 3am Edition of her tenth studio album, Midnights (2022). Written and produced by Swift and Aaron Dessner, it is a new wave-leaning soft rock song about a narrator's rumination of a flawed, age-inappropriate romantic relationship in the past.
My 21st Century Blues is the debut studio album by English singer and songwriter Raye. It was released independently by Human Re Sources on 3 February 2023. The album is Raye's first project following her departure from Polydor Records in 2021. Largely co-written and produced by herself, she worked with notable names including Mike Sabath, BloodPop, Punctual, and Di Genius. The album features guest appearances from 070 Shake and Mahalia. My 21st Century Blues received acclaim from critics, with some publications including Variety naming it as one of the best albums of 2023. It lyrically explores themes including Raye's struggles with addiction, misogyny, insecurity, body dysmorphia, and sexual assault.
Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd is the ninth studio album by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey. Released on March 24, 2023, by Interscope and Polydor Records, the album features production by Del Rey, Mike Hermosa, Jack Antonoff, Drew Erickson, Zach Dawes, and Benji. It includes collaborations with Jon Batiste, Bleachers, Father John Misty, Tommy Genesis, SYML and Riopy.
Five Seconds Flat is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Lizzy McAlpine, released on April 8, 2022, by Harbour Artists & Music in association with the AWAL music distribution company.
"Ceilings" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lizzy McAlpine. It appeared on her second studio album, Five Seconds Flat, which was released on April 8, 2022. The folk-pop ballad, which has prominent strings in its instrumentation, describes the end of a night with McAlpine's partner that turns out to be a daydream about a relationship that already ended.
The Show is the third studio album by Irish singer-songwriter Niall Horan, released through Capitol Records on 9 June 2023. Musically, it draws from rock and synth pop genres. The album's lead single, "Heaven" was released on 17 February 2023, followed by "Meltdown" on 28 April 2023. The album topped the charts in eight countries. A deluxe version of the album, subtitled The Encore, was released on 3 November 2023; the album was preceded by an encore version of "You Could Start a Cult", with Lizzy McAlpine.
"Call Your Mom" is a song by American singer-songwriter Noah Kahan, included on the expanded edition of his studio album Stick Season (2022), subtitled We'll All Be Here Forever, released on June 9, 2023. A duet version of the track, with American singer-songwriter Lizzy McAlpine, was released through Mercury Records and Republic Records on September 15, 2023, as the second single from Stick Season (Forever), another edition of the record.
"Older" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lizzy McAlpine and the title track of her third studio album (2024). The song was written by the artist alongside Mason Stoops and Taylor Mackall, while the production was handled by the former two. RCA Records released "Older" on February 13, 2024, as the lead single from the album. It is a stripped-down ballad with lyrics about the feeling of growing up.
The Older Tour was the second concert tour by American singer-songwriter Lizzy McAlpine in support of her third studio album, Older (2024). It began on April 21, 2024, in San Diego, and concluded on October 31, 2024, in Dublin, comprising 31 shows across North America, Europe and Oceania. A portion of ticket sales will be donated to LGBTQ Youth charity The Ally Coalition.