After gaining a large following at just 15-years-old from a top charts hit, “Here”, Alessia Cara has proven to continue to develop as an artist with the release of her sophomore album The Pains of Growing. Just earlier this week, Cara turned to her Instagram story to share the effects of cyberbullying, saying “All I can do is ask my fans and the people who support me to please never put someone down online or elsewhere.” Diving deeper with personal struggles, Cara allowed herself to write with vulnerability and honesty on The Pains of Growing.
Released on Nov. 30, Cara used this piece of music to reflect the transition from her teenage years to adulthood. When listening to her debut album Know-It-All, Cara can be heard describing hardships experienced while growing up such as friendships, balancing a social life, and earning how to be yourself. In “Here”, Cara sings “Excuse me if I seem a little unimpressed with this, an antisocial pessimist but usually I don’t mess with this”. While these lyrics are authentic, they relate more to those of a younger age.
However, just as Cara has grown, so have her musical abilities and the way she expresses herself. Although she has always been heavily involved in the songwriting and producing processes for her music, Cara’s maturity in nearly every aspect of her life shows in The Pains of Growing. By discussing heavy topics such as mental health and heartbreak in this album, specifically in “Not Today”, Cara allows for a more emotional connection to be felt by an older group of fans, ultimately expanding the number of people her music can reach.
The lead single of the album “Growing Pains” is paired with an intriguing music video showing Cara dancing through an eerie warehouse where different symbolisms of life try to grab her. The music video itself is enough of a visualization to prove Cara’s growth in her understanding of music, art, and how she can portray a deeper message to those listening.
The Pains of Growing is out now and can be streamed on Spotify and Apple Music. Listen to Cara’s newest pieces to hear a soundtrack to a coming of age story.
