You know those phenomenal singers and songwriters that create an entire career by being a “YouTuber,” like Justin Bieber and Carly Rae Jepsen? Let me introduce you to Alessia Caracciolo, better known as Alessia Cara. She is one of those singers who is quickly on the rise, thanks to her exposure on YouTube. 

I really enjoy listening to Alessia Cara’s music. Its upbeat and relatable character makes it hard to not like. Her videos are disappointing (understatement): they just don’t compare to the quality of her music… which is sad.

Cara’s first album is contemporary R&B,  Four Pink Walls, which includes five songs that express what most teen girls go through, “Seventeen,” “Here,” “Outlaws,” “I’m Yours,” and “Four Pink Walls.” The songs reflect personal experiences like break-ups, crushes, and peer pressure.

Cara’s biggest hit is “Here,” which is about a night when she went to a party and it wasn’t at all what she was expecting. In the song, Cara says,

But really I would rather be at home all by myself
Not in this room with people who don’t even care about my well being
I don’t dance, don’t ask, I don’t need a boyfriend

which portrays realities of high school and being a teenager.  We go to parties to hang but would rather be at home.

Cara gives an insight about what it’s like to be an outsider or wallflower and how it’s totally acceptable to be that way. Cara shows her view on how you shouldn’t give into the pressures of high school if you don’t feel comfortable, and that’s a really compelling and important thing for teens to understand.  “Here” is a song I would recommend to every teen girl.

In her song “Seventeen,” Cara tells a story about how she always wanted to grow up, even though she was always told to take her time and to enjoy being young while it lasts. Now that Cara has come to the reality and responsibility that growing up and being seventeen holds, she wants to stop time. Alessia says,“Now I wish I could freeze the time at seventeen,” I can surely relate to this, and it’s easy to say I’m not the only one. As the thought of college and graduating comes to mind, it’s easy to realize how much growing up changes everything. Alessia Cara couldn’t have portrayed that any better.

courtesy of MOXIE

Cara isn’t enrolling in college yet.. Cara has a record deal with Def Jam records, who released her album. According to Def Jam records, the album “garnered over 500,000 total streams in its first week, resounding praise for its freshness and insight.”

Alessia Cara says she isn’t anything like Mariah Carey or any singers who can sing extremely high notes. Her voice is more untrained and deep.

In all honesty, I love this album altogether, and I truly cannot get enough. Even beyond this review, I find myself listening to the Four Pink Walls on repeat. Prior to writing this review, I decided I was going to listen to this album, and strictly this album only, for a few days to see how I think the general public would react to the song being viral and played over and over.

After a few days (still not sick of the album), it leads me to believe that Cara will be very successful in the music industry if the songs do become “mainstream,” and I hope that they do. I think the songs are inspirational and teach a life long lesson, and some teens nowadays need insight.  I like the lyrics from “Seventeen.”

And when she told me little girl the answer is love
So those are words that I keep with me
Though the seasons change so quickly
Keep them buried in my heart

I was fully in love with Alessia Cara until I got a preview of her unprofessional and uninteresting videos… Who wants to watch a teen jump around in a hotel room lip-singing her songs? (The lip-syncing is painfully obvious.)  It truly degrades the quality of the songs themselves and makes Alessia seem much less talented.

This girl needs a producer.

From what I have seen so far, Alessia records her music videos on her own, in hotel rooms and her own bedroom, which aren’t much better than a 10-year old’s selfie.  Fortunately, as she gains popularity and maturity, she’ll have money to hire a real videographer.