On April 8th, 2022 American singer-songwriter Lizzy McAlpine released her sophomore album, five seconds flat. The album was written by McAlpine herself and produced by Philip Etherington and Ehren Ebbage with Harbour Artists & Music company. The album explores the sentiments leading up to a first heartbreak, while also tackling the ups and downs of the aftermath.
In early 2023, the album gained popularity with hit songs like doomsday and ceilings. The project features collaborations from artists such as Jacob Collier, Ben Kessler, Laura Elliot, and Finneas. Each track explores the unique feelings of loving someone, while also recognizing the need to let them go. Once you dive into the lyrics, you’ll find this record does an outstanding job at encouraging listeners to interpret each track in their own way.
There are 14 tracks on the album entitled:
- doomsday
- an ego thing
- erase me (featuring Jacob Collier)
- called you again
- all my ghosts
- reckless driving (featuring Ben Kessler)
- weird (featuring Laura Elliott)
- ceilings
- what a shame
- firearm
- hate to be lame (featuring Finneas)
- nobody likes a secret
- chemtrails
- orange show speedway
McAlpine describes the first single and opening track, doomsday, as the end of a love story. It’s ironic that this song marks the beginning of the album, setting the tone with the ending of a relationship. From an interview done on Genius, she states the song is about “a relationship that is so toxic that you know it’s doomed and preparing yourself for that eventuality.” The vulnerability and symbolism this song shows is why it’s my personal favorite off the album. The album blends between multiple genres including indie, pop, and some rock elements as well. McAlpine expresses these rock influences in the second half of the album with tracks like firearm, erase me and hate to be lame.
The concept album explores many ideas including the lack of closure that comes with the end of a relationship. Not knowing how or when to stop contacting them, when it’s affecting the both of you is a common theme explored throughout the album. The song firearm also brings to light the power dynamics in relationships. Regarding the lyrics in the song, she also states in the Genius interview “But you sleep with the firearm” suggesting that “this person held the most control over her emotions” and relationship as a whole.
In March of 2023, McAlpine was surprised by the widespread attention her most commonly-known song, ceilings received on social media. In the song she paints the picture of the end of a date with a past relationship. The line “Lovely to sit between comfort and chaos” describes the uncertainty in the beginning of a new relationship.
For me, this album is full of nostalgic memories driving in the car with my sisters. I would highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates artists like Gracie Abrams, Phoebe Bridgers, and Noah Kahan. In an interview with Zach Sang, McAlpine reflected on her albums, mentioning that this one feels the most inauthentic to her. But among her three albums, it received the most recognition.
