Recommended songs: “Growing Pains,” “Warm Shoulder,” “Cold Heart,” “Don’t Tell Me”
Artists you may like: Madi Diaz, Jensen McRae, Annika Bennett
Country-pop trio Trousdale have just released their 12-track sophomore album Growing Pains. Laced with their golden harmonies, infectious rhythms and impassioned lyrics, the album is an ode to both overcoming heartbreak and the iconic sounds of 1990s country-pop.
Made up of Quinn D’Andrea, Georgia Greene and Lauren Jones, the trio describes Growing Pains as “about being on the cusp of transformation, and learning to thrive in the discomfort of something that might be hard in the moment, but is ultimately good for you.”
Title track “Growing Pains” is a fantastic way to start off the album, with its upbeat and arena-like sound. The song gives new listeners a taste of what the band stands for with an abundance of vocal harmonies and messages of perseverance accompanied by an electrifying guitar riff. This is the sound that Trousdale have developed over the years, but this latest album feels much more polished than previous releases.
Track two is another single, “Over and Over,” which hits pause on the fast-paced excitement of the previous track. “Over and Over” has an anger that is held back as the dragged out kick drum creates progressing tension. Healing is the main motif and drive of this album and it is set up in this song as Trousdale plead that “healing takes time / Let me take mine.”
Guitars layer on top of one another while the band lament, “I don’t need another lonely night,” in the song “Lonely Night.” The 1990s country-pop inspirations of this group start to truly shine through as the harmonies pick up pace and range. Harmonies have always been a staple for Trousdale and this album pushes the group’s vocals further as we are offered treats of higher harmonies and complicated vocal riffs.
The third single, “Want Me Back,” contrasts with the faster pace of the opening songs. A more acoustic approach is brought in with the room sounds of the album’s live recordings adding to the lyrics’ vulnerability. As the band begs for a lover to “make a promise you won’t keep,” the tone of the album begins to shift with a sense of exhaustion over heartbreak starting to set in. In “Death Grip,” some reversed recordings add to a sense of being stuck in time, showcasing a heavier country balladic sound.
Trousdale is a flawless example of how seamlessly pop and country can blend with one another. “Secondhand Smoke” is one such example, with twangy guitars and a story of courage being balanced out with a classic pop structure. The soft delivery of “Is your secondhand smoke gonna kill me too” feels like a punch in the gut and highlights the detailed songwriting skills that the group have developed over their careers. “Secondhand Smoke” was the last single before the album’s release and it beautifully encapsulates the overall tone of the album. This song also signals a shift in the album as Trousdale start to pick up the pieces of hardship.
Both lyrically and sonically, “Don’t Tell Me” starts the road to hope as the trio share the verses to declare the they are “trying to outrun the echo of you.” The return of electric rhythm guitars and belting in the choruses are a symbolic shift from agony to acceptance as a faster pace creates a lighter tone. “Don’t Tell Me” is a personal favourite from the album as it emphasises the fun songwriting and powerful instrumentation that compliment powerful vocals, making Trousdale stand out.
The following “Don’t Tell Me,” which is a nice balance between the high energy of “Over and Over” and somber tone of “Secondhand Smoke,” offers a realistic take on moving on. The ballad, “Warm Shoulder, Cold Heart,” mixes the classic banjos of country and modern indie pop, and is processed to create a somber but nostalgic sound.
”Sleeping at the Wheel” lets go of the last fragment of loss with the deprecating “wondering what’s the big deal, I don’t know how I feel.” The foliage sound and strings scattered across the song adds to the defencelessness as the trio finally overcome the last of the tragedy.
“Save Me” is the start of the return to upbeat Trousdale with cheeky lyrics and cheeky instrumentation. Easily the most laid back and relaxed song on the album, the trio playfully look back on a relationship now long gone. Lyrically, this song has the most fun in Growing Pains with callbacks to earlier songs with “stop trying to save me” and fun lines such as “oh my god you love to give out free advice.” The syncopated rhythm, electric guitar solo and higher vocal harmonies also add to the easygoing vibe of “Save Me” and finally offer a sense of closure of that the trio have been reaching for throughout most of the album. The band said about the making of the album:
“Making ‘Growing Pains’ has been a journey of growth and reinvention. Going into it, we knew we wanted to work smarter, not harder. We poured our hearts into the music, and also allowed ourselves the freedom to collaborate with incredible musicians and lean on others for support. The first album was a labor of love, but we overthought everything and took our time. With ‘Growing Pains,’ we made a conscious effort to keep it simple, to enjoy the process, and to trust the people around us. It’s been a humbling reminder that asking for help can make all the difference. ‘Growing Pains’ is about being on the cusp of transformation, and learning to thrive in the discomfort of something that might be hard in the moment, but is ultimately good for you.”
Closing out Growing Pains are “Vertigo” and “Last Bloom.” Having overcome and healed from the past, the full-toned and upbeat Trousdale returns with fast-paced guitars, harmonies and infectious melodies. This return feels earned and satisfying after having to process pain for most of the album. This sentiment is highlighted by the repeating outro of “I’m gonna make it out,” which is book-ended with the message of the opening title track. The album has its “Last Bloom” in a short send-off focusing on the group’s harmonies and vocals. Finishing off the album with a slower song may come off as cheesy to some, but it fit well into its message of continual growth and strength in the face of adversity.
Trousdale have cultivated a mass following with listeners tuning into some killer vocals and electric sounds and this album offers a wonderful mix of both. Growing Pains is just another step in what looks to be a incredible year for the well-established trio. The album’s story of reinvention and hope in the face of dread is woven majestically with moving guitars, fantastics builds and an extraordinary recorded live sound.
If you want to catch Growing Pains live, the band is going on tour in conjunction with the album release, playing across North American and European countries. Tickets can be found here.
Keep up with Trousdale: Website // Instagram // TikTok // YouTube // Spotify // Apple Music
