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The dust has settled since her cinematic hit “ceilings” went viral and Lizzy McAlpine is back with the first single from her upcoming third studio album Older set to release April 5 via RCA Records. With the release of its gut-wrenching title track, fans are introduced to a new side of this multi-dimensional singer-songwriter. “Older” captures the detailed storytelling that originally propelled Lizzy to success while uncovering a deeper layer of her overall artistry. Over a solemn piano, the young lyricist shares her unfiltered thoughts on the complexities of life and growing up.

“To me, this album represents who I’ve become over the past three years,” shares McAlpine. “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.”

“Older” holds heavy truth in every word sung by McAlpine’s strikingly beautiful voice, but it’s a welcomed weight. There’s a newfound confidence in sharing these feelings so poignantly and raw, without busy production to hide behind. It’s a song that the breakout star has been destined to write, shedding the curtain and baring her soul to fans anxiously awaiting Five Seconds Flat’s follow-up project.

Thematically, “Older” covers all of the stages of becoming an adult without being on the nose or redundant. Mcalpine sings about experiencing the monotonous loop of life and the unseen hardships of success. Fear of abandonment and feeling guilty in relationships are constant topics discussed throughout her discography, but “Older” demonstrates how these thoughts expand with age. Then there’s the topic of mortality, expressed through observing your parents' age and then reflecting on oneself.

The track’s most affecting lyric is repeated in the chorus and closes the track, leaving listeners pondering its significance. “I wish I knew what the end is,” she sings, musing on a phrase loaded with relatability and heaviness despite its apparent simplicity. McAlpine’s pen paired with her candid vocal delivery makes “Older” a compelling take on the classic piano ballad.

Longtime fans of Lizzy McAlpine will be pleased to hear the artistic and personal growth displayed in this existential comeback single. But fair warning, tissues will be required.

Lisen to "Older" below: