Alana Springsteen's I HOPE THIS HELPS Might Be Her Best Album Yet
- 10 hours ago
- 3 min read
Review by Lauren Page | @LiveWithLP
When it comes to country music, we are truly blessed with the amount of emotion, storytelling and real-life experiences that can be woven into lyrics and albums, and I can hand on heart say that in terms of vulnerability, Alana Springsteen may have dropped one of the most spectacular heart-wrenching albums I've ever had the pleasure of reviewing.
I HOPE THIS HELPS marks a brand-new chapter for Alana. After catching up with her at C2C Festival in Glasgow earlier this year, she spoke about how this record was going to be her most vulnerable yet, and honestly, she wasn't wrong. With tracks like note to self and black sheep already giving fans a glimpse into the deeply personal themes explored throughout the album, I had a feeling we were about to get something special.
What I wasn't prepared for was just how much of herself Alana pours into these songs.
Opening with a home-video recording before seamlessly transitioning into note to self, listeners are immediately welcomed into Alana's world. It feels less like listening to an album and more like reading someone's diary, with every track peeling back another layer of emotion, growth and self-discovery.
feels good and sad hour are immediate standouts for me. They perfectly capture the emotional rollercoaster that comes with healing, where one minute you're feeling on top of the world and the next you're right back in your feelings. That's something Alana manages to do brilliantly throughout the entire record – making listeners feel understood in emotions that are often difficult to put into words.
love to see it and love me anyway bring a lighter energy to the project whilst still fitting naturally within the album's overall story. There's confidence here, but also vulnerability, reminding us that growth isn't always about having everything figured out.
The interlude almost feels like a moment to take a breath before diving into some of the album's most powerful songs. same God is undoubtedly one of the most thought-provoking moments on the record, tackling themes that many artists shy away from. It's beautifully written, honest and likely to resonate with a lot of listeners.
Tracks like diy, no man's and selfish continue exploring themes of independence, self-worth and learning how to put yourself first. These are the kinds of songs that will have fans nodding along because they've either lived through those experiences themselves or are currently navigating them.
fight like this showcases some of Alana's strongest vocals on the entire album. The raw emotion behind every lyric is impossible to ignore, proving once again that she knows exactly how to make listeners feel every word she's singing.
As the album reaches its final stretch, i loved you then delivers a beautiful reflection on past relationships and the memories that stay with us long after people leave our lives. Then comes black sheep, a song that has quickly become one of my favourites from the project. It's deeply personal, incredibly vulnerable and highlights Alana's ability to turn difficult experiences into songs that make people feel less alone. Of all the songs on the album, black sheep feels like the emotional heart of the record.
Its honesty is both heartbreaking and comforting, creating one of the most powerful moments across the entire tracklist and reminding listeners that sometimes the songs that hurt the most are the ones we need to hear the most.
Closing track how to swim feels like the perfect ending. Rather than wrapping everything up with a neat little bow, it embraces the uncertainty that comes with growing up and figuring life out. The outro then brings everything full circle, leaving listeners with the same intimate feeling that started the album.
What makes I HOPE THIS HELPS so special is that it never pretends to have all the answers. Instead, Alana shares her experiences, her struggles and her lessons in the hope that someone listening might find comfort in them too.
This isn't just Alana Springsteen's most vulnerable album to date; it's her strongest. Honest, relatable and beautifully written from start to finish, I HOPE THIS HELPS proves exactly why Alana continues to establish herself as one of country music's most exciting young artists.
Alana will be back in the UK later this summer and cannot stress enough, this tour is going to be her greatest yet. Don’t miss out.
I HOPE THIS HELPS is out now