By Justin Kemp
Remember when Alessia Cara blew up from nowhere in 2015 with her debut single “Here,” took the Grammy for Best New Artist in 2018 and vanished? Well, she’s back with her fourth studio album, “Love & Hyperbole.” Released on February 14th, 2025, Cara’s newest record looks at love in a new light—happiness. While it features breakup songs reminiscent of her previous works, “Love & Hyperbole” offers a warm perspective on the changes that come with growing up and the passage of time, most prominently falling in love.
“Love & Hyperbole’s” tone isn’t just conveyed through Cara’s contemplative pen. Richly textured production and live recorded instruments create a lush soundscape perfect for a quiet evening curled on the couch with a book. Various songs contain sections highlighting instrumental skills: ”Subside” opens with a somber piano ballad, “Nighttime Thing” incorporates a soaring violin-assisted chorus, “Dead Man’s” brass instruments feel like they belong in a jazz club, and “(Isn’t It) Obvious” features epic guitar solo courtesy of John Mayer. Pop, R&B, and jazz elements appear as needed to convey a lyric’s energy, blending beautifully with Cara’s soulful vocals.
Album Overview
“Love & Hyperbole’s” 14 tracks are split into equal halves by theme, a decision likely inspired by the resurgence in vinyl’s popularity and the marketability of an R&B-jazz-influenced album to that audience. The first half begins with “Go Outside!” an upbeat response to the melancholy conclusion of Cara’s previous COVID album, “In The Meantime,” while also exploring a sadness toward the changes in her life. The perspective is nuanced—in “Run Run,” Cara is afraid of ruining her relationship, whereas the lover in “Left Alone” sucked the life out of her. Instead of turning to anger, Cara reflects wistfully on what was and could have been, searching for something better.
“(Isn’t It) Obvious” marks a turn to the album’s second half. Still timid and hurting, Cara stops trying to “Drive” away and adopts a more hopeful perspective. “Things can work out,” her tone seems to say. “It might take a while, but we’ll get there.” “Nighttime Thing” is the culmination of that attitude and an album highlight; however, more subdued tracks like “Feels Right” and “Fire” quietly contemplate the feeling of loving and being loved, a contrast to the anxiety portrayed earlier in the album. “Clearly,” the final track, feels like a conversation where all the history we’ve just heard has been considered, and instead of being a reason for rejection, it brings healing.
Track Ranking
Ranking “Love & Hyperbole” was difficult—I love most of the tracks! While several that place lower are more subdued, the quality of the production creates a pleasant, calming atmosphere. A few had sparse or repetitive lyrics, with “Run Run”, “Drive”, and “Fire” being the worst offenders here. See my 5 – 14 ranking below and keep reading for a few thoughts on my top 4.
5. Go Outside!
6. Left Alone
7. (Isn’t It) Obvious
8. Fire
9. Feels Right
10. Clearly
11. Get to You
12. Garden Interlude
13. Run Run
14. Drive
4 — “Dead Man”
A jazzy and exasperated track that metaphorically shakes a “dead” partner for not putting energy into the relationship, “Dead Man” is just fun. Cara picked an excellent lead single—this could be a Bond theme if it were sung a little more dramatically.
3 — “Subside”
Gorgeously dynamic, this track opens somberly with Cara’s voice accompanied by a piano. Then, like a sudden intake of breath, the chorus kicks off. The lyrics explore grieving change with familiar metaphors in a way that feels like you’re hearing them for the first time. I love the rhymes and wordplay in this one—they’re simple enough to flow well for a pop song, yet deceptively complex.
2 — “Nighttime Thing”
All of Cara’s introspection and gradual change in perspective throughout the album’s course culminates here in happily realizing “I think I like you like that.” It’s a fun song about falling in love and wanting it to last. Opening with the chorus and those violins was a fantastic decision.
1 — “Slow Motion”
I debated between “Nighttime Thing” and this for my top, but I had to choose “Slow Motion.” Fun, smooth, catchy—it’s everything “Love & Hyperbole” excels at in one song. Cara delivers deft metaphors with effortless vocals over a groovy beat. “I’ma bet it all on you” is such a cute line that starkly contrasts Cara’s hesitancy in the album’s first half. This is the moment where she finally gives in and embraces the uncertainties that come with love.
Conclusion
With “Love & Hyperbole”, Cara offers her best lyrics and most impressive production so far. The album’s perspective feels mature in a way that only an artist who has truly lived and reflected on that life can create. It’s a great album to sit with, but it’s also relaxing enough to pop on for the afternoon while studying at a coffee shop. “Love & Hyperbole” is someone re-engaging with the world, realizing it has changed, and finding that there’s still joy even though everything has shifted.
I give “Love & Hyperbole” a 9.0/10.
“Love & Hyperbole” is available on all music streaming platforms.
Justin Kemp is a senior Linguistics student interested in library science. When not lost in the Centennial Library’s depths stressing about his capstone, you can find him reading, listening to pop music and writing poetry.
Images courtesy of Spotify.
No Replies to "‘Love & Hyperbole’ is hopeful and relaxing"