RoseColoredGirl Ranks and Reviews Every Alessia Cara Song

[RoseColoredGirl]

7. "Growing Pains"

Album: The Pains of Growing (2018)

“Try to mend what's left of my content incomprehension”

Prepare yourself for some lavish appreciation, because this song is such a vibe! Growing up is so hard, and I am saying this in the present tense at 25 years old. Even at this age, I feel there is so much I don’t know about life all the time. Life is so stressful and awkward, so it’s amazing that Alessia delivered a bop like this. The lyrics focus on Alessia feeling she’s only going through the motions with no idea what she’s doing, and she feels her comfort zone is only getting further and further away. She laments people telling her adulthood is not that bad, despite that she feels so overwhelmed about the clunkiness of growing up, and not knowing what she’s doing. She also feels that she is still young enough that life should be fun, which is an interesting sentiment that resonates with me.

I relate to this on so many levels. Growing up is such a bizarre, almost purgatorial state at times. When I was a kid, I always thought I would have found my dream job right out of college, have a house, be married, and maybe even be thinking about having kids. I think society tends to glamorize growing up as this cool thing where you’re finally mature, but rarely do we talk about the fact that it takes a while to become comfortable with the responsibilities and complexities of adulthood. I love philosophical “life lesson” stuff like this so I could write a whole 5-page essay on this lol, but yeah, I’ll just say I relate a ton to Alessia’s anxiety around adulthood and it being a very weird “in between” state, rather than this triumphant “I’m finally mature and confident” feeling that society makes it seem like you’ll feel when you grow up.

Stylistically, this song is excellent, between the quirky production in the verses and the almost anthemic feeling of it in the chorus. She even has a meta reference to Know-It-All, acknowledging that she had a lot of empowerment songs on her last album, but feels unable to live up to some of the self-love sentiments she sang about. I love how self-reflective that reference is, and find it to be a really fun inclusion in the song. I also want to take a moment to talk about how much I appreciate that ending. It ends after the bridge, and it’s kind of jarring that it ends there because it feels like there should be another chorus there. Maybe this is just me reading into it too much, but the sudden end feels like an unspoken metaphor for adulthood being jarring and not what you expect. The decision to end the song there feels very poetic, and I kinda love that she’s just like “Oh, you’re expecting the song to end this way? Well, think again!” lol.

[RoseColoredGirl]

6. "Out of Love"

Album: The Pains of Growing (2018)

“I won't cry at your feet now, I know my tears will fall in vain”

I’ve mentioned in previous reviews that I find it hard to frequently listen to songs that are heartbreakingly sad, but this one is such a gorgeous ballad that I adore it. The production feels so bittersweet and gentle that it’s beautiful. Almost immediately, the listener gets the sense that Alessia’s heart is completely destroyed. She sings that she is certain that the relationship she’s in is over, and there is nothing she can say to change this. She displays no attempt to get her lover to stay, because she knows the efforts would be futile, and does not want to selfishly hold her lover back when they are no longer happy with her. Perhaps the most heartbreaking lyric is that Alessia says she refuses to cry, because her tears would only be in vain.

I love how the lyrics are so rawly emotional that you can vividly imagine how utterly destroyed Alessia is by the realization that this relationship is over. She is, in fact, so hopeless she does not even ask why the person doesn’t love her anymore - she addresses this in the bridge with the lyric “there’s no use in wondering.” The question she focuses on in the song’s chorus is when the person fell out of love with her, because she wants to know how long she has been living a lie.

I like that she didn’t use a sludgy or depressing production like she did with “You Let Me Down.” That type of production fits well there, but the soft piano production creates an atmosphere of bittersweet acceptance, because Alessia loves this person enough to want them to be happy, even though the realization rips Alessia apart inside. It is just such a gorgeous, tear-jerking ballad that it will always be a favorite of mine, and it’s criminal that this didn’t do better as a single.

[RoseColoredGirl]

5. "Wild Things"

Album: Know-It-All (2015)

“Bow your head, they're pious here, but you and I, we're pioneers”

I have such a soft spot for how free-spirited and chill this song is. The song is an anti-conformist anthem, and as somebody who has always considered herself a bit quirky, I have a huge soft spot for the song. The lyrics confidently assert about not needing to follow the rules that society lays out for you, as Alessia encourages the listener to navigate a path that feels most comfortable and empowering to them.

The song has a very unapologetic, rebellious vibe to it, and challenges the importance of what others say. This is a message that really resonates with me, because I firmly believe that relying on others for validation only leads to misery. Others’ validation is never going to be a consistent source of happiness, so the only way to guarantee consistent happiness is to find things that make you happy. Besides, who wants to waste their life sitting around waiting for others to validate them all the time? I have found it is so much more empowering to be responsible for your own happiness, rather than expecting others to do it for you. The production is quite experimental and feels carefree, which creates a wonderful atmosphere.

[RoseColoredGirl]

Bonus #10: "1-800-273-8255"

Logic / Alessia Cara / Khalid

I really like this song for its extremely important message and excellent performance by all three artists. Logic came up with the song (named after the suicide helpline number) after a number of fans told him that his music saved their life, and enlisted Alessia and Khalid to join him. The message of the song has Logic speaking about mental health and embodying the perspective of someone who is in such a dark place that they no longer want to be alive. There is a progression throughout the song, starting with the first verse with Logic talking about common reasons for mental health issues that might drive people to self-harm. In the second verse, which is Alessia’s, the lyrics shift to a message of hope, giving reasons to stay alive through a reminder of all the wonderful things ahead that life may have to offer. Each chorus also changes, from “I don’t want to be alive” in the first chorus, to “I want you to be alive,” and finally, “I just want to be alive.” In the final verse, Khalid acknowledges how hard it is to get back to a good place, but commits to moving forward because he wants to feel alive. I really appreciate this ending and would consider it an argument for the song’s sensitivity, because it doesn’t just try to end it on a cheery note; it acknowledges that healing is a hard process, but it is worth it in the end.

I know there is some criticism around the lyric “Who can relate? Woo!” which…isn’t the most sensitive way to express that sentiment, but I know the song means so much to so many people. I know several people, including a few on Pulse, who have opened up and said this song saved their lives in a dark time. That said, there is a tangential criticism of insensitivity that I have that I want to bring up here, because it affects how I view the song a bit. In a later song of Logic’s, “Twisted,” he references “1-800-273-8255” and brags that he’s glad he got famous because of the song, because it means he’s getting laid around the clock now (although he puts it in a much cruder way). I won’t lie, that reference feels very insensitive and makes me uncomfortable. The lyric comes off as saying that he only made the song so that he could get famous and have a lot of sex, which is just gross considering the context, and it makes the idea behind the song feel a bit less sincere to me. That said, I try to just interpret this song as a piece of art and separate it from his other discography, but yeah, that later reference to this song admittedly bothers me. To end the review on a more positive note, if I were ranking the bonuses, this would easily be one of my favorites. The song has had a profound impact on so many people by making them feel heard, which is a beautiful thing.

[RoseColoredGirl]

Bonus #11: "Jingle Bell Rock"

Cover

It's the day after Thanksgiving, which at least for me, means it's time to start listening to Christmas music haha. This may honestly be my favorite version of “Jingle Bell Rock,” even slightly better than the original. Alessia sounds heavenly here, and I really like the production here. It starts off feeling very warm, and starts off as a slow, smooth ballad. After the first verse, the production picks up and becomes more bombastic, yet still maintaining the warmth from the slower part of the song. It is an amazing cover and I would highly recommend giving it a listen.

[RoseColoredGirl]

4. "Rooting for You"

Album: This Summer EP (2019)

“It’s like, damn, why you gotta be so cold in the summertime?”

This song doesn’t have the lyrical complexity of most of Alessia’s other songs, but it is still a favorite. The song has a simple message, talking about a problematic person who brings everybody down with them. Alessia talks about hitting a breaking point and that she is tired of wasting her time on this person. What is so attractive to me about this song is the unspoken energy of Alessia’s delivery. Despite her complaints about this person, the vibe feels like a passive “shame that didn’t work out." The emotional distance in Alessia's voice and carefree vibe of the song is very empowering, because of the unspoken sentiment that Alessia is too happy to care about someone who's not worth her time in the first place. The bouncy production of the song is a ton of fun, and it’s one of those songs you can just relax to and take a break from caring about your problems for a moment, whatever they may be.

[RoseColoredGirl]

Bonus #12: "Another Place"

Bastille / Alessia Cara

We only have one more bonus left after this one! I hadn’t listened to many of these songs Alessia was featured on before this, but what I’m finding is that her main discography is far better than quite a bit of the songs she’s featured on. The bouncy beat is catchy here, and I think Bastille and Alessia have pretty decent chemistry in this. The lyrics discuss chasing being with somebody for a high, saying that the illusion of love they’ve created in the relationship is not real, and thus they can’t be together. The lyrics in Alessia’s verse feel a bit generic compared to Alessia’s usual output, but overall, her verse was not bad. This is another song I probably wouldn’t return to, but it’s decent for what it is.

[RoseColoredGirl]

3. "Trust My Lonely"

Album: The Pains of Growing (2018)

“Cause your colors showed, but it was too late, you left me stained, called it art”

This has been a favorite of mine since Alessia first released it. The lyrics focus on Alessia realizing her own worth in a toxic relationship, stating all of the ways the person makes her miserable, and committing to trusting her own instincts that she will be so much happier alone. The concept of the song could have been very sad, but I like how Alessia puts an empowering spin on it, which shines through both in the lyrics and the production. The instrumental feels very uplifting and freeing as Alessia croons “I could do better, do better,” followed by an insanely catchy chorus. Alessia’s confidence with the uplifting production makes for an amazing track, and considering this was a single, I really wish this could have done as well as “Growing Pains.”

This means it's "Find My Boy" vs. "Apartment Song" for the top 2! We'll do the final bonus tomorrow just to keep up the suspense lol, and the final two will be revealed on Wednesday and Thursday!

[RoseColoredGirl]

Bonus #13: "Make It to Christmas"

Holiday single

This is our final bonus! The song starts with a very somber tone, using winter metaphors to describe the coldness that has creeped over a relationship. However, Alessia desperately hopes that their love can hang on through Christmas. Overtly, she says this is because she doesn’t want her favorite time of year to be ruined, but the listener also is given undertones that there may be some hope that the wonderful, cheery time of year will warm the feelings in their relationship. I am not really a fan of listening to sad Christmas music, as the holidays are always a time I want to feel good, but I do love how warm and nostalgic the production feels. I feel the warm seasonal production actually works really well as a contrast to the sad lyrics in the verses, and it’s the main appeal of the song for me. I also like how there is kind of a buildup throughout the song, where the production becomes more and more festive to represent Alessia’s growing hopes that the relationship will survive through Christmas. While I like the song, I don’t know if I’d consider it a go-to Christmas song, but it’s pretty good! I also have to end this review with my appreciation for the line “Please break my heart on Boxing Day!” lol.

[RoseColoredGirl]

2. "Find My Boy"

Album: In the Meantime (2021)

“Catch me in Toronto with a cappuccino, always on the run in my same old sneakers”

While this song is nowhere near the most lyrically poetic song in her discography, this is such a bop. The song is a lamentation that Alessia can’t find a good love interest, but she makes it really fun. Rather than commiserating about how she can’t find anybody, she flips it around and turns it into a call to potential love interests, saying “I don’t need to find you, you come find me!” The unspoken confidence Alessia has in the song is really attractive, even going so far as to repeatedly talk to this hypothetical man of her dreams throughout the song, telling him the qualities she admires in a man. Alessia’s assertion that she’s lonely, but knows what she wants makes for a really fun switch-up of the typical songs you’d hear about being desperate and lonely, and it’s certainly one of the most unique and catchy songs in her discography.

That means “Apartment Song” is #1! Check back tomorrow morning for the final review of that song!

[RoseColoredGirl]

1. "Apartment Song"

Album: In the Meantime (2021)

“I know I'm a bummer, got no lover, but the color of the sky tonight's so nice”

The song is perhaps one of the happiest on the album, but I have a special appreciation for the fact that it’s not just “my life is happy now, I’m not sad anymore!” All throughout the song, Alessia alludes to the fact that she still has something on her mind, but she chooses to appreciate the little aspects of the space around her instead of worrying. She repeatedly demonstrates that she is choosing indifference to her problems, so she’s able to be in the moment.

I really like the instrumental of the song, which feels very bouncy and atmospheric, particularly in the last minute or so where she’s humming. The fluid production contributes to the very subtly empowering message, where Alessia acknowledges that she knows everything’s not perfect right now and that her good mood is fleeting, but she’s found happiness in this moment.

The song was inspired by Alessia getting her first apartment, and in Alessia’s behind-the-scenes video, she talks about how she felt incredibly anxious and lonely living on her own. She mentions that it took a while to adjust because of her anxiety, but one day, things eventually clicked for her and she learned to appreciate the newfound freedom.

I have a huge spot for this song, because of how much I relate to it. About a year ago, I moved into my first apartment out of college for a new job in another state. The move was super last minute, and I didn’t know anybody in the state. When I first moved into my apartment, I was so scared and anxious. Similarly to Alessia, months later, one day, it just kinda clicked and I became comfortable. I realized that I actually love my apartment and the freedom that came with it, and lots of personal growth and good things had come from the move, including meeting a wonderful person who I am now dating (who is ironically the person who got me into Alessia). Because of this, the song has a personal significance for me, in the sense that it represents this time in my life, and the concept that a scary situation can turn out alright and be an adventure.

I’m reminded of a review I read of In the Meantime where the reviewer brought up that much of the album is her going through the five stages of grief. I think the reviewer’s point was completely accurate, and it’s just such a perfect way to end the album if you view it through that lens. Given this album is all about “the meantime,” it feels so fitting to have it end with Alessia finding happiness in this in-between space, where she knows her mood won’t last forever, but she’s happy right now, and that’s all that matters.

On the note of ending things, thank you so much to everybody who followed these reviews! These have been a lot of fun to put together, so I hope you’ve enjoyed reading them as much as I have writing them! As Alessia puts out new content, I will continue to review and rank new songs. I’ve also added a running list of my rankings to the OP, so that it’s easier to follow the order as new songs get added into the rankings. I’m so happy to have discovered Alessia, and she is gradually becoming one of my favorite artists. Her excellent singing and songwriting definitely makes her a very appealing artist on its own, but perhaps what I love about her most is how genuine she is in her artistic expression, and how open and authentic she is about her mental health. Many artists have put out great songs about depression and anxiety, but Alessia stands out to me for going beyond surface-level discussion of mental health. Not only this, but she attempts to make the listener feel heard and understood in a way that, at least personally, is very comforting as somebody who struggles with anxiety. She is easily one of my new favorite artists this year and I am so glad I did this deeper dive on her discography!

[Taiga]

I may be 3 months late haha, but I just wanted to say I loved your reviews!

I probably like Alessia way more than I should (she's #10 on my all-time artists chart!), but she and I go way back to when I found the Four Pink Walls EP (by way of insomnia) on a Saturday late night back in 2015, lol. I agree that she deserves more recognition and that In the Meantime could've spawn some hits, even if it were only on Pop.

I just love her quirky songwriting such as the Brazil shoutouts in Bluebird and Find My Boy, for example; I've also related to a lot of what she described on Box in the Ocean; and, since I had no idea that the This Summer EP ever existed due to non-existent promotion, only finding out about it when relistening to her discography a few months ago. I fell in love with October just in time for... October last year lol.

Please keep the reviews up for whenever she drops new material and, if you'd like to, please tag me!

[RoseColoredGirl]

Feb 24, 2024 23:45:08 GMT -5 Taiga said:

I may be 3 months late haha, but I just wanted to say I loved your reviews!

I probably like Alessia way more than I should (she's #10 on my all-time artists chart!), but she and I go way back to when I found the Four Pink Walls EP (by way of insomnia) on a Saturday late night back in 2015, lol. I agree that she deserves more recognition and that In the Meantime could've spawn some hits, even if it were only on Pop.

I just love her quirky songwriting such as the Brazil shoutouts in Bluebird and Find My Boy, for example; I've also related to a lot of what she described on Box in the Ocean; and, since I had no idea that the This Summer EP ever existed due to non-existent promotion, only finding out about it when relistening to her discography a few months ago. I fell in love with October just in time for... October last year lol.

Please keep the reviews up for whenever she drops new material and, if you'd like to, please tag me!

Thank you so much! <3 Yeah, her songwriting style is one of my favorite things about her too! Something about the way she writes feels so warm and open, like she's relating to the listener as if she were their friend, and I really love that about her writing style.

For sure! :) I know a few people were following these reviews, so I can create a tag list whenever I review her new content. I was excited that she finally released the last video to a YouTube series her and her friend did the other day, which she'd completely abandoned for two years, so hopefully that we're getting new music soon as well lol.