March 21, 2025
By Alexandra Ruiz
Staff Writer
With a blend of smooth melodies and empowering lyrics, 28-year-old Alessia Cara’s latest album is a testament to her growth as an artist and individual.
The Canadian pop/R&B singer-songwriter released her fourth studio album, “Love & Hyperbole,” on Feb. 14. The release date is no coincidence, as every song relates to love.
The album, which includes 14 tracks, has a consistent sound, an emotional vibe and honest lyrics.
In the second track, “Left Alone,” Cara is in her most vulnerable state. Grappling with the idea of rekindling an old romance, she focuses on prioritizing herself.
The song opens with smooth, ethereal guitars, bringing Cara’s vocals to the spotlight. She holds back from overextending her voice, allowing her soft, unique timbre to deliver the message with understated intensity.
Singing, “No room for you on my plate / I need some energy to save,” Cara shows her growing independence and the strength she will gain from being alone.
“Dead Man,” whose single and music video came out on July 19, 2024, is the third track on the album.
In the chorus, Cara sings, “I am really trying my best to hold here / But if you don’t want to be held onto then there’s nothing left of this / I feel like I am talking to a dead man,” meaning she wants to hold onto a relationship, but there isn’t anything left to salvage.
She holds back from overextending her voice, allowing her soft, unique timbre to deliver the message with understated intensity.
This chorus is powerful because many young people can relate to the anxiety and heartbreak of a relationship coming to an end.
The 13th track, “Slow Motion,” which debuted on Jan. 24, is the album’s most recently released single.
In this catchy R&B track, Cara depicts a relationship with someone who understands her better than anyone else. The track is endearing, as Cara wishes there were more days in the week to spend with her lover, whom she misses even when they are together.
In the chorus, she sings, “It’s late but I wanna stay / A feelin’ I can’t explain.” The lyrics and upbeat sound create a hopeful mood as Cara focuses on the giddiness love brings to her life.
The final song, “Clearly,” has a more serious tone. It is a smooth track with striking instrumentals that signify her newfound clarity.
Cara raises a question and then answers it, singing, ”Can we be open? Forget about the rest and start over / For the first time, I can see you clearly.” These lyrics show that she has achieved closure and finally has inner peace with herself instead of relying on a partner.
Overall, “Love & Hyperbole” is a beautifully introspective journey through Cara’s evolution, where she navigates her emotions and personal growth with authenticity and vulnerability. From the raw honesty of “Dead Man” to the clarity in “Clearly,” the album showcases her development.
This album is a testament to Cara’s ability to blend personal storytelling with captivating melodies, leaving listeners reflective and hopeful as they embark on their own emotional journeys.
