The Pains of Growing
| Alessia Cara
The Pains of Growing
The Pains of Growing is the second studio album by Canadian singer and songwriter Alessia Cara. The album was released on November 30, 2018, by Def Jam Recordings. Its songs were mostly written by Cara, with co-writing from producers Pop & Oak. Musically, The Pains of Growing was inspired by three years of the singer's life that led up to its release. Critics described the album's sound as "big-sister pop", and praised Cara's songwriting ability. -Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
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Pitchfork
It has the tinge of a project made with love and devotion.
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Rolling Stone
She’s got a style that’s all her own.
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Consequence of Sound
The Pains of Growing has its flaws, but altogether it’s a cohesive statement and a marked improvement from her debut.
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NME
On the evidence of this impressive and winningly authentic second album, Cara is increasingly unforgettable.
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The Guardian
Excellent examples of sensible-sweater, big-sister pop.
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Stereogum
The difference is this time her personal stamp on the material is unmistakable.
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Pluggedin
The Pains of Growing is honest and encouraging, uplifting and genuine.
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NY Times
Cara offers up her own candid gawkiness in tidily constructed pop, and even her near-misses are endearing.
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Refinery 29
Overall, the album follows an upbeat pop sound that belies the bleak themes it explores.
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The Musical Hype
Authenticity and honesty is memorability and catchiness.
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Now Toronto
A sophisticated pop coming of age.
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The Line of Best Fit
Cara’s journey is as authentic as it is unpredictable.
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Exclaim
She's raw and pure, an obvious example of an artist who will only continue to build momentum.
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Ocolly
Cara shows growth in more than just her number of track titles. Although her voice hasn’t changed, the subjects of her songs and lyrics have matured.
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The Student Playlist
A comforting, well-written and executed pop record.
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Sound Digest
Very few can translate their angst and feelings into their music as gracefully.
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Vanity Fair
The pop star proves she’s a crack songwriter with production chops, too.
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EW
The Pains of Growing avoiding the sophomore slump.
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Immortal Reviews
Honest about the rollercoaster of emotions she faces in her life while still moving forward. If one thing has always been clear about Cara’s music.
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AP News
She’s become a strong role model for young boys and girls, who often thank Cara for her honest lyrics and positivity.
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Sound Words
Possibly not the coronation that a sophomore album can be for a young artist, but it is a charming effort. There are enough signs of promise on the album to make her worth watching.
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The Ithican
Cara’s steady vocals shine.
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Farmer's Harvest
As she claims to have grown up, expectations weren’t met as she didn’t try anything new with this latest album.
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Stack
These are not the chart-hot bangers Cara’s appeared on since her last album, but they are an incredible display of talent.
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WRBB Radio
Representative of the negative impact major labels can have on the artistry of new and promising singer-songwriters.
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The Breeze
Cara is already leaving an impact that can’t be missed.
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Thomas Bleach
She however opens up like never before and truly finds who she is as an artist which is a beautiful thing.
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Living on Guilty Pleasures
She’s invented and innovated a style and artistry that’s all her own—in the best way possible.
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360 Nobs
An earnest, heartwarming album rendered with so much sincerity and shows Alessia Cara’s voice has now matured.
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Vulture
Cara is more assured than ever.
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Mystic Sons
Sees her emerge from her insecure shell of self-doubt with far more maturity and confidence throughout.
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PPcorn
Cara wrote every song on the album and produced three tracks, demonstrating confidence in the sound and message she wanted to convey.
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Spectrum Pulse
I'm still supporting her... but man, this should be better than it is.
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The Central Trend
Blunt and brilliantly intertwined
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Inklings News
Boasts an impressive pop sound.
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Fly FM
She comes at it with the maturity of someone twice her age.
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Her Campus
Overall, I LOVE this album. Alessia Cara knows what we all need to hear and all these songs are so dang catchy!
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JBH HiFi
Hotly anticipated sophomore album.
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La Vista
A respectable follow up to her previous album and showcases Cara’s extraordinary writing abilities.
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Financial Times
The songs are solidly constructed and have enough contemporary touches to keep the sepia at bay.
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Entertainment Voice
There are abounding cliches and scant Eureka moments, but Cara impresses with compassion, versatility, and masterful execution.
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Hot New Hip Hop
The singer serves up a heartbreak anthem.
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Rock the North
The Pains Of Growing isn’t as good as it should be.
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The Daily Listening
After all, she’s our people and she just gets it. You gotta love artists like that!
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CBS News
This one-time closet pop-star has become a genuine one indeed.
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Peculiarethan
Through her nuanced songwriting then, able to turn the personal into the universal, The Pains of Growing is worth the awkward stages.
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Standard UK
A well-crafted, endearing follow-up for Cara that truly impresses.
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Ratings Game Music
One of the most beautiful voices in the industry.
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Daily Campus
It’s a nice wrap-up of her concept, and her audience knows that she’s definitely headed in the right direction.
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London in Stereo
Overall, the album makes excellent use of Cara’s much-loved songwriting formula.
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Kelly Alexander Show
She’s invented and innovated a style and artistry that’s all her own—in the best way possible.
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FYE
Cara writes in a slightly wiser and sharper manner from the same introverted homebody perspective heard on Know-It-All.
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CTV News
Her music has helped her build a strong fan base and she's become a strong role model for young boys and girls, who often thank Cara for her honest lyrics and positivity.
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