Lizzy McAlpine releases a heart-clenching piano ballad titled “Older”. The soundscape is incredibly full even though it is only piano and voice. This is the type of track I would put on in the late night or in a long car ride to really gain some introspection. Currently, it is 6 am and I just woke up. This song is too sentimental and beautiful to listen to right now, for me at least. But I will indulge.

In this track, Lizzy tells a reflective story, talking about the monotony of life, hardships that come with success, relationships, fear of abandonment, and mortality, more specifically seeing parents age. There are a lot of great songs that cover these melancholy topics and I am all for it. The other song that slips into my mind is “Stop This Train” by John Mayer, which also talks about aging. The echoing line at the end of the chorus “I wish I knew what the end is” is a line that might stay with people after they listen to the song. We have all thought this thought at some point. Something that I absolutely love hearing and something that many might have thought would die out is these raw and powerful acoustic songs. I don’t think there will ever be a time when people don't want to hear artists honestly express themselves in a stripped-back sort of way with real instruments, despite whatever AI can create in 100 years. This track is definitely something that will make a lot of people feel a lot of emotion.

"Older" is set to also be the name of Lizzy McAlpine’s latest album release, signed under RCA. This is an album that we could not be more excited for. We have gotten a little bit of information about the overall vibe of the upcoming album, which Lizzy has said is set to be a real honest introspective into her life and thoughts. So if the standalone track "Older" is to set some sort of direction, we might be seeing a lot more of these stripped-back acoustic settings. I am all for that and again can’t wait to hear the final product. However, as the old adage goes, let her cook.

On top of “Stop This Train”, the song could be likened to something like “Both Sides now” by Joni Mitchell. I hope this track will be a bonafide classic just like those two in a couple years' time. Go have a listen and see what you think. I think picking the perfect setting for a song like this is very important because it just requires that little bit of special attention while listening. It has such a strong pull that listening to it at the wrong moment could be like cracking a joke at exactly the wrong point in time. No matter how good the joke is, it just won't work. So pick your timing, I would suggest one of those moments when you are ready to be introspective and disappear into the music for a little bit. Either way, fantastic track.

Author: Peter Källman

Peter Källman is a writer from Sweden who loves playing in bands, writing reviews and going to live shows!