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Photo: Caity Krone

In a world of viral audio snippets, overproduced pop, and transient trends, it can be difficult to fully grasp the lasting impact of a raw, understated sonic piece of art. Nowhere does this sentiment ring more true than in the lush, meditative works of Lizzy McAlpine.

McAlpine is a singer-songwriter who never forsakes the transformative power imbued in a lyric that cuts just a little too deep or the universal vulnerability that echoes as one’s voice begins to tremble. “I Guess” is the latest byproduct of this experiment in vulnerability, a sauntering sway that toes the line between love and uncertainty. 

Over a sparse acoustic guitar that builds steadily into an Americana waltz, McAlpine muses on the innate complexity of human connection and our own feelings. “We dance together / You’re not that good / I’ll tell a lie, but it’s understood,” she sings in a nearly hushed whisper. Even as the instrumentation and production swell to a crescendo, “I Guess” retains its delicate display of raw, emotion-led songwriting.      

“I Guess” arrives as the second glimpse of McAlpine’s highly-anticipated sophomore album, Older, set to release April 5 via RCA Records. Led by the title track “Older,” McAlpine reintroduced herself to the world following the lauded success of her single “ceilings” with a quiet, impactful meditation on the lifelong process of coming of age.

“To me, this album represents who I’ve become over the past three years,” says Lizzy. “Through the long and mostly tumultuous journey of making it, I have learned who I am as a person, who I want to be as an artist and what kind of art I want to make. This album is a culmination of that growth, showcasing the rawest and most honest version of me.”

In celebration of the new music, McAlpine will be embarking on ‘The Older Tour’ this year, an extensive headline tour that will take the singer-songwriter across North America, the U.K., and Europe, including festival performances at Bonnaroo and Hinterland.   

Listen to “I Guess” below: