Recommended tracks: “Sticks & Stones,” “things you never say,” “WORSE”
Artists you may like: Olivia Rodrigo, Gracie Abrams, Benson Boone
Lauren Spencer Smith offers a relatable glimpse into the chaos of being in your twenties on THE ART OF BEING A MESS. The pop singer navigates the unpredictable chapters of early adulthood through songs that explore the highs and lows of love, heartbreak, friendship and self-discovery.
The pop singer began her music career on season 18 of American Idol, where she became the first Canadian to reach the semifinals. Her breakout hit, “Fingers Crossed,” reached the top 20 on the charts in the United States and the top 10 in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. In 2023, Spencer Smith released her debut album Mirror, featuring “Flowers,” “Narcissist” and “Bigger Person.”
THE ART OF BEING A MESS feels like a page torn out of a journal — each track serving as an anthem for those finding their voice. The record opens with “What a beautiful day,” a song to express how depression, heartbreak and emotional struggles can coexist with a seemingly perfect external scene. “What a beautiful day to feel lonely / In a room full of faces where everyone knows me,” she sings. The lyrics serve as a reminder that being surrounded by people doesn’t necessarily mean you feel understood.
Spencer Smith is known for her emotional, sad girl anthems, but on this record, we see her tap into a darker, edgier and more vengeful side of herself, and it’s extremely captivating to witness. “IF KARMA DOESN’T GET YOU (I WILL)” was released in April and marked the first taste of vengeance consumed, but here comes “Sticks & Stones” to give it a run for its money. The song immediately demands your attention with layered vocals and features a pulsating beat that sends chills down your spine. Taylor Swift may be the queen of an iconic bridge, but Spencer Smith is giving her a run for the crown: “Oh no there you go again / Little boy playing a man / Try to fool me but you can’t / Oh no there you go again / Begging for your innocence / I won’t ever make amends.”
The “Flowers” singer spins the narrative on “Lighting the flame” as she continues to take back her power. Spencer Smith has an impressive vocal range, but she really allows her lower register to shine as she captures how an ex’s selfish choices sparked a flame and ignited something new in her: “Thank you, for telling me I’m nothing / Bad news, you never saw it coming / When you told me I was something to waste / Baby you were lighting the flame.”
She continues with similar themes in the song “parallel universe,” a track that explores the bittersweet idea that a relationship could have worked out if only it existed in a different reality, where timing and circumstances weren’t in the way. Lyrically, this album marks a new level of relatability for her; this song in particular feels like the heart of it all: “Where you never cheated and you never lied / You kept a promise like one fucking time / Your still the person who ruined my life / But somewhere in the back of my mind / There is a version of us in a parallel universe.”
“WORSE” offers a cathartic release of betrayal and anger, capturing the sting of heartbreak as Spencer Smith pleads for karmic justice, hoping that the one who caused the pain will feel it tenfold. “I hope it’s 10 times / As bad as this knife in my back / Hope it’s right where your heart is,” she sings. On the flip side, “things you never say” is the singer wishing someone had been better in a relationship when their words and behavior never truly aligned.
The record ends on a more hopeful note with “Long Story Short” and “Someday.” Though Spencer Smith has weathered heartbreak, she finds herself embraced by love on “Long Story Short,” capturing a love so profound it’s nearly impossible to put into words. “Someday” emerges as an anthem for being kinder to yourself — a gentle reminder that is so important for those who struggle with tearing themselves down: “I love the way you talk too much / And the way you cry a lot / And how you forgive too easily / I love the girl, I love the women, I love me.”
Keep up with Lauren Spencer Smith: Facebook // Instagram // X // YouTube // Website
“Things you never say” isn’t about a partner. She sings about not being asked about l a first date and how much she liked him but the person will never know. I think it’s about a parent
I agree, absent parent too or a sibling that they don’t talk anymore