Alessia Cara Unveils New Album Love and Hyperbole in Exclusive 1824 Press Conference
Press photo of Alessia Cara courtesy of UMG
Alessia Cara has built a career on her raw, introspective lyricism and soulful vocals, capturing the hearts of listeners since her breakout in 2015. From the defiant self-acceptance anthem "Scars to Your Beautiful" to the jazz-infused reflections of In the Meantime, Cara has continuously evolved as an artist, navigating themes of identity, growth, and emotional resilience. Now, with the Valentine’s Day release of her latest album, Love and Hyperbole, she steps into a new era—one that explores all of the twists and turns romance has to offer.
During an exclusive press conference hosted by 1824, Universal Music Group’s central creative marketing and strategic solutions team, Cara provided an intimate look into the creative process behind Love and Hyperbole. Speaking candidly to industry professionals, journalists, and devoted fans alike, she described the album as “her best work to date-or at least her favorite.”
Love and Hyperbole marks a new chapter in Alessia Cara’s life—one defined by growth, happiness, and a renewed perspective on love. As she embraces this shift, the 28-year-old hopes longtime fans remain open to her evolving songwriting approach. Reflecting on her artistic journey since Growing Pains, Cara acknowledges that while she still sees traces of her past self, she has shed much of the angst and stubbornness that once defined her. Now, she approaches music with a softer, more open perspective, viewing love as a grounding force rather than a source of turmoil. By transforming past struggles into opportunities for presence and self-awareness, she has developed healthier coping mechanisms that have made this creative process feel "different in a good way." Once hesitant to share unfinished ideas, she now takes pride in exploring every concept, no matter how unpolished, in the studio. Love and Hyperbole delves into themes of security, comfort, and transformation, as well as the impermanence of life—subjects she once feared, now explored with a more mature and, at times, comedic outlook. "Love can be so dramatic… sometimes love can feel larger than life… hyperbole helps express the extreme, exaggerated emotions that come with those moments."
Cara shared that crafting hit records has never been about simply “following a formula” but rather about creating something that resonates deeply. She emphasized that simplicity is key to reaching a broad audience while ensuring that each song evokes a strong emotional response. Love and Hyperbole exemplify this philosophy, balancing moments of lighthearted romance with deeper reflections on love with varied intensity. Discussing the songwriting process, she revealed that "Obvious" and "Fire" were the easiest tracks to write, feeling as if they already existed and were simply "caught." On the other hand, songs like "Run Run" and "Hyperbole" required more time to fine-tune, as they aimed to explore the exaggerated emotions love can bring in a way that felt both humorous and heartfelt. Narrowing the album down from over 40 songs to a final selection was a difficult process for Cara, as each track felt deeply personal to her. She had to consider which songs best fit the album’s world, conveyed its core emotions, and resonated most with listeners—all while ensuring she wouldn’t regret leaving any behind. “On one hand, you want to make whatever you want, but people also look to me for understanding and guidance… It is the job of an artist to reflect their emotions at times so there is a balance… satisfying both needs. I don’t want to tell people how to feel.”
When discussing the album’s romantic themes, Cara admitted that she’s always been a shameless romantic but that her understanding of love has changed over the years. "Love isn’t about making yourself smaller; it should make you bigger," she reflected. This perspective is captured beautifully in the album’s visuals, particularly the cover, which features two versions of herself holding each other in a trusting embrace, symbolizing self-assurance and emotional growth. “If you were to look at (my) pain, you would see a lot of wanting to love. You cannot have love and joy without knowing loss and pain. You can reshape that pain to teach you and to inform you of so many things moving forward. It isn’t a total loss to feel those emotions and you can transform it,” she advised to the group.
One of the most impactful aspects of the production process was her ability to record live with musicians, a nod to the organic recording styles of the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s. Inspired by legends like Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks, and Joni Mitchell, Cara wanted the album to have the raw, unfiltered energy of classic records. “There’s nothing like recording music together in real time,” she shared.
Cara performed pop-up shows in cities like LA, NYC, and Toronto to celebrate the album's release, bringing her music directly to fans in intimate settings. She described the experience as a return to her roots, reconnecting with the spontaneous joy of performing live. Additionally, her Made By: Alessia Cara series on YouTube has given fans a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process, with each track receiving its own visual world full of metaphors and hidden Easter eggs.
With Love and Hyperbole, Alessia Cara ushers in a new chapter—one where love is not just a source of longing and heartbreak but also of joy, transformation, and self-discovery. Through lush, live instrumentation and introspective yet playful lyricism, she has crafted an album that embraces both the beauty and the exaggeration of romance. As she steps into this new era with openness and confidence, Cara invites listeners to experience love in all its complexity—dramatic, fleeting, overwhelming, and ultimately, worth every moment. Supporting Love and Hyperbole, Alessia is embarking on a global tour this summer. Kicking off April 6th at the Orpheum Theater in Boston, you can experience the new era of
You can purchase tickets to the 2025 tour HERE.
