SOPHOMORE ALBUM REVIEW - ALANA SPRINGSTEEN - I HOPE THIS HELPS

Today (Friday 29th May) singer-songwriter, Alana Springsteen is releasing her sophomore album, I Hope This Helps which is made up of 16 tracks with all tracks co-written by Alana.

Intro has a very authentic feel with throwbacks to Alana's childhood with her soft honest vocal tones with some honest lyrics that opens this new chapter of Alana's music, before beginning with Note To Self which is a one incredibly heartfelt song that has a lot of vulnerability shining all the way through mixed in with a soulful layer as she opened up about things she wish she knew growing up, and some listeners will appreciate as Alana wears her heart on her sleeve. The way Alana allows listeners into her world as she grew up was touching especially as she let us in both the good and bad times showing just what a fantastic artist she is. The chorus is stunning with softer tones as it allows for the honesty within the lyrics a powerful moment that I couldn't help but get emotional too, especially going into the second verse which I have to admit broke me as I was able to relate to this part the most. The 'I Got You Now' part is Alana telling herself that whatever's next she believes in herself, whilst also saying I have your back. Note To Self is one song, I wish I had to listen to growing up - thank you for telling your story throughout this beautiful song.

Feels Good allows for Alana's softer vocal tones at the forefront throughout as she talks about these moments were life is going well for the most part, but you still have those voices in your head whilst being out on the road, but it feels good to be doing them, and the emotion is valid too whether that's through the moments of peace or the chaos with both being ok. Sad Hour is a brilliantly timed upbeat song allowing listeners for the first time in this album to see the positive side of Alana as she turns the tables on a 'Sad Hour' - songs that allow you to make your own in interpretation of the lyrics are magical and this song had me feels a mix of emotions. Thank you for making me emotional a few times which continued into Love To See It allowing for listeners to hear a lot of vulnerability with Alana's vocal as you could hear the tables turn, but in a fun sassy one that had me listening closely to the songs journey and lyrics that got me thinking many times to certain situations where this song seems appropriate.

Love Me Anyway is a song I caught myself listening to the lyrics very closely as I could really feel the emotions within Alana's tone making it an emotional song written with a lot of honesty throughout on these moments when you are alone, and those feelings you get in the evenings/ the early morning struggles to sleep with all those questions. The lyrics of the chorus are brilliantly written bringing every verse together brilliantly, however its the second verse that caught me off guard and partly relating with the lyrics. The moments of emotion showed a lot of growth, and how Alana has grown on her musical journey when at a crossroads of life's journey.

The Interlude is filled with some honest lyrics that broke up Alana's album wonderfully especially as you can feel a change in the direction of the album, Same God beginning this new section of music was brilliant with Alana's soft crisp tones shining through from the very start. There was something so stunning and beautiful about the honesty within the journey of the song making me emotional a different times whilst appreciating the life journey as well as the lyrical ones that you can feel a change in Alana's journey with God. The chorus is super catchy and soulful whilst being filled with a lot of honesty that bought tears to my eyes a few times which I have to admit wasn't expecting to feel, but I am so grateful as it showed how special this song for me.

Photo Credit: Stefan Kohli // Art Credit: Brianne Farquhar

A slower song is DIY filled with a lot of emotions that I caught myself getting emotional over the chorus, whilst also appreciating the honesty within the lyrics throughout that take you on a journey where a good and bad time, you don't deserve to be alone or feel lonely if you don't want to be. No Mans follows wonderfully as you can hear a little about Alana's upbringing it would seem that is noticeable within the soulful honest vocal tones, whilst bringing those relationship feels and saying that you belong to 'No Man' and it's ok to be independent along with being in a relationship.

Selfish begins with a guitar instrumental that compliments Alana's soft tones wonderfully with some extremely relatable lyrics throughout that I caught myself getting a little emotional over as it reminded me of myself over the past few months. Thank you, Alana for making me feel like my feelings are valid and that's it's OK to be a little 'selfish' sometimes to recover when needed. The chorus is filled with some of the most honest lyrics through this season of life. The emotion felt through the lyrics and the songwriting is super moving, and I have a feeling many fans will be able to relate with this song. One of my new favourites from Alana's sophomore album.

Fight Like This was written from experience which you can hear in Alana's vocal tones making for another moving song that sees Alana letting us listeners in to her own lessons and experiences that once again caught me listening to the songs lyrics very closely with a lot of appreciation for Alana's journey and for being brave to share her journey with us.

One of my favourites of Alana's sophomore album is, I Loved You Then as it takes you on a journey from the very first lyric allowing listeners to be taken back to a time in their lives where they realised that they loved someone without telling them, but those moments that followed when you did with may special memories being shared. There is something so special about Alana's tones that caught me getting emotional throughout. 

Black Sheep begins with an upbeat and guitar instrumental complimenting Alana's soft tones wonderfully allowing for the songwriting to shine through alongside the vulnerability especially as she reflects on her life allowing for us listeners into her world. The chorus broke me as I could hear this scared and lost girl that didn't know what to do for the best, however, it was the line of the final verse “I can't believe I thought it was a weakness when God's the one who made me this” was like her began to accept herself making me even more emotional than I already was.

How To Swim is filled with a lot of emotions allowing for us listeners to be let into Alana's world in the most vulnerable way with the soft tones especially when you let yourself be honest with the emotions. The lyrics within chorus are the most emotional being the part of the song that I caught myself relating to the most, and allowing me to feel ok with the emotions I am feeling within my life at the moment. What powerful songwriting from Alana.

Ending I Hope This Helps is Outro featuring some honest lyrics that you can hear that Alana hopes' that this era of her music helps her fans, and honestly with me this album has helped me understand that it is ok to fell down when on a journey of self-love and self-worth.

Thank you, Alana for realising such an inspiring album which is stunning, and I am so appreciative of the fact you are letting us in on your journey.

You can follow Alana on Instagram here.