The Pains of Growing
Alessia Cara · 2018
45 min · 15 tracks · contemporary R&B
A contemplative blend of pop and R&B that navigates the complexities of young adulthood with introspective lyrics and soulful melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
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Growing Pains — The title track encapsulates the album's theme by articulating the struggle of navigating adulthood while reflecting on personal challenges and growth.
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Trust My Lonely — This track stands out for its catchy chorus and relatable message about embracing solitude as a means of self-empowerment during difficult times.
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Out of Love — With its poignant lyrics about heartbreak, this song showcases Cara's vocal prowess and emotional depth, making it a highlight of the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album effectively explores themes of growth and introspection through varied tempos and emotional vocal delivery.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a mid-tempo track that sets a reflective tone, followed by a series of songs that alternate between upbeat and slower ballads.
- Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- The last three tracks slow down significantly, creating a contemplative atmosphere that contrasts with the earlier energy.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady pacing for thoughtful reflection
- narrative arc of growing up
- warm melodies for personal moments
- relatable themes of self-discovery
- headphone detail for emotional depth
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- avoid cohesive listening experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- The Pains of Growing is Alessia Cara's sophomore album, released after her Grammy Award-winning debut, Know-It-All. At this point in her career, she was transitioning from a breakout artist to a more mature songwriter exploring deeper themes of personal growth and self-discovery.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Sabrina Carpenter· Lauv· H.E.R.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Growing Pains 3:13
- 2 Not Today 2:37
- 3 I Don’t Want To 2:42
- 4 7 Days 3:28
- 5 Trust My Lonely 3:19
- 6 Wherever I Live 3:05
- 7 All We Know 3:23
- 8 A Little More 2:26
- 9 Comfortable 4:17
- 10 Nintendo Game 2:41
- 11 Out of Love 3:47
- 12 Girl Next Door 3:22
- 13 My Kind 3:01
- 14 Easier Said 3:25
- 15 Growing Pains (reprise) 0:59
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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