Lizzy McAlpine is a singer-songwriter whose music spans multiple genres, including folk, indie pop, bedroom pop and jazz. McAlpine is best known for her songs “Ceilings,” “Staying,” “Pushing It Down and Praying” and “Spring into Summer.” McAlpine’s songs resonated with her listeners as captivate emotions unable to be spoken.
McAlpine teased her first album since 2024, “Angel,” with the song “The light in the painting.” The album, which was officially released on Sept. 18, includes 14 tracks that explore her identity not just as an artist but also as a lover and friend.
“The light in the painting” focuses on the appearance of a new love interest and the euphoria of a newfound connection. Following the release, McAlpine made her relationship with actor Kane Ritchotte public, leading fans to believe that the song was inspired by their relationship.
“The light in the painting” draws a parallel to the track “Let Light Be Light” from her 2021 album “When The World Stopped Moving.” The release of “Angel” is contrary to “Let Light Be Light,” which describes the desperation of trying to hold on to someone while battling mental health issues.
“Let Light Be Light” is a solid baseline for the genre of music that McAlpine previously produced: an emotional experience with complex layers of feelings and intimate moments. Similarly, in “Ceilings,” she describes a nostalgic movie-like romance, which is later revealed in the lyrics to just be a fantasy of hers.
Much of “Angel” rebrands McAlpine’s music into a resurgence of love and livelihood. The ninth track, “Over Country,” perfectly depicts this theme as she describes, “Someone loves me, over country, over hills and dams.” The lyrics embody a feeling of safety, knowing that someone out there in the world loves her despite the distance.
In an interview with iHeartRadio Canada, McAlpine revealed the song was written while she was performing on Broadway in New York City away from her friends, but said its meaning is open to interpretation.
In her song “Peach,” the peach she sings about cutting in half symbolizes the two sides of her life. One half represents her life on tour as a musician, while the other represents her everyday life at home. This track explores how McAlpine embraces herself as an artist while making peace with the coexistence of her double life.
“Anybody’s Fool” explores the feelings after a breakup, including reminiscing about a relationship while knowing that ending it was the right choice to make. The song captures the bittersweet feeling of looking back and regretting past decisions.
With the release of “Angel,” McAlpine announced a 2027 international tour, “The Over Country Tour” on Sept. 24. This will be her first tour since “The Older Tour” in 2024. In previous interviews, McAlpine expressed discomfort with touring due to her mental health as well as feelings of inauthenticity.
McAlpine’s music reaches listeners of a variety of ages through her relatable lyrics and the of personal growth. McAlpine continues to evolve as an artist, showing fans who she is beyond her music.