Imagine driving down Route 101 with your friends on a warm summer day, the top down and windows wide open. The wind beats against your face, messing up your hair, but you could not care less because you are surrounded by those who know you best. Alessi Rose’s second album “for your validation” encapsulates this energy, transporting listeners to a free, youthful and emotional world.
Rose’s album begins with the song “oh my.” Listeners are met with country-esque beats and Rose’s young voice, and the song illustrates the sadness that may come with being young and in love. Rose seems to be pleading for love and appreciation throughout the song, which may resonate with teenage audiences.
“He saves me for last, ’cause he knows that I’ll wait / I’d let him talk forever, while he’s smoking straight,” Rose sings.
Next on the album, “start all over,” is introduced with classic guitar strums and Rose’s lively voice singing hopeful lyrics. Unlike in the past track, “start all over” tells a story of hope. Rose describes the feeling of being carefree, not caring how stupid one may look for being in love or going back to the same person over and over again.
“It’s fool-proof, don’t get too attached / ‘Cause what I can’t keep isn’t mine to have,” Rose sings.
“IKYK” differs from the past two songs, with the lyrics and background music contradicting each other. The background of the song is upbeat and fun, while the lyrics are somewhat depressing. The song ends and begins with a rock-esque guitar that is simultaneously hopeful and disheartening. The lyrics encapsulate the feeling of giving your all to someone who is out of reach.
“I know you know, you’re pretty and everybody wants you / I know you know, I’m part of that crowd / I say I don’t care, you know I’m a liar baby,” Rose sings.
The fourth song of the album, “imsochillandcool,” paints a perfect picture of constant comparison and the desire for someone who has moved on. The lyrics are sarcastic as Rose describes how she is okay with an ex moving on, acting as if she does not care when truly it is tearing her up on the inside. The background music is subtle, which helps to emphasize the lyrics and their meaning even more.
“And I don’t even care at all / But I know that you’re out getting drunk at her house and you’re naming your kids / While I’m biding my time and denying the signs, I swear that I’m so over it,” Rose sings.
“pretty world” showcases Rose’s beautiful vocal range as she explores different beats and tones. Her vocals are strong and consistent throughout the song, and the background music matches perfectly. The beat and lyrics are catchy, but the meaning is the most valuable part of this track. Rose sings about the journey of finding someone who loves you for you, the difficulties of being heartbroken and having to rebuild yourself after something difficult.
“I want to be loved, I wanna be enough / I think I’m in love with your pretty world / Can we just stay here / Feels so unfamiliar the closer that I get / It’s all I ever wanted, so can’t you take it,” Rose sings.
The last track, “don’t ask questions,” ends the album in a heartbreaking but still beautiful tone. The song illustrates the last stages of heartbreak, hope for new beginnings and wanting to move on as quickly as possible. Rose’s lyrics tell of someone who simply does not want to be bothered after a breakup, and once they try to move on, a constant fear follows them as they are terrified of getting to know someone again or even worse: letting someone get to know them.
“Run in circles in my head again / I’ll assume the worst has happened / So next time that I ask you if you’re feeling this / Please don’t answer,” Rose sings.
Rose continues to produce amazing songs. On her second album, “for your validation,” she successfully created an engaging, relatable and beautiful album that encapsulates so much of what young love and heartbreak can feel like.