The Pains of Growing
by Alessia Cara
  • Record Label: Def Jam
  • Release Date: Nov 30, 2018
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 85 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 73 out of 85
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 85
  3. Negative: 9 out of 85
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  1. ryanora
    Nov 30, 2018
    10
    A genuine artist who deserves all the recognition and acclaim of the world, wonderful and brilliant work, an album that entirely lavishes her art in a delicate and realistic way
  2. HoldOn
    Nov 30, 2018
    10
    The Pain of Growing is more R&B/Soul, while her debut album is a Pop album. Alessia knows how to create amazing lyrics and melodies while still making a mainstream sound. Great return!
  3. amandaaraujo_
    Nov 30, 2018
    10
    I'm so proud of Alessia and the evolution of her lyrics and sounds! Her voice is too much clear and softy. I know this album is a little more smooth than 'Know-It-All', yet it has great and smart songs like Nintendo Games, 7 Days and Not Today.
  4. rodperfil
    Dec 2, 2018
    10
    So great! Nintendo Game, 7 Days, and Comfortable are high level. The lyrics are also really good.
  5. ethanct86
    Dec 3, 2018
    8
    She explores different topics with well thought out lyrics and a very pleasing and soothing sound.
  6. rafaelsantosY2
    Nov 30, 2018
    9
    A lightweight yet intense album. Alessia shows itself again as a great promise for the future of music with the launch of the excellent album. We really thought about and reflected on The pains of growing, after hearing this admirable album
  7. pursuingdreams
    Nov 30, 2018
    8
    Actually the singles released before the album release are kind of disappointing. Growing Pains is the only good song. However, this album is cohesive and beautiful. When listening to it the first time, it is flat and forgettable. I decided to give a 5 score originally. But listening to this again, the album grows enormously. Her voice is truly powerful and the production is interesting.Actually the singles released before the album release are kind of disappointing. Growing Pains is the only good song. However, this album is cohesive and beautiful. When listening to it the first time, it is flat and forgettable. I decided to give a 5 score originally. But listening to this again, the album grows enormously. Her voice is truly powerful and the production is interesting. But the downside still remains. I cannot immediately remember a song. This album lacks huge bops like "Here" and "Scars to your beautiful". She is really an artist. Her works are in her own unique direction. Her works are not commercial, just expressing herself. Hope the next album is better.… Expand
  8. Real_g22
    Jun 1, 2020
    10
    Hermoso álbum de una gran cantante y autora. Excelentes vocales, hermosas letras, muy buena producción (en algunas canciones a cargo de la misma Alessia). Alessia sin duda nos logra poner en su lugar como una mujer creciendo en un mundo el cual no es perfecto, sus inseguridades se ven reflejadas y son muy entendibles y muchas personas se sentirían identificadas sin duda.
    Mi canción    Hermoso álbum de una gran cantante y autora. Excelentes vocales, hermosas letras, muy buena producción (en algunas canciones a cargo de la misma Alessia). Alessia sin duda nos logra poner en su lugar como una mujer creciendo en un mundo el cual no es perfecto, sus inseguridades se ven reflejadas y son muy entendibles y muchas personas se sentirían identificadas sin duda.
    Mi canción favorita es A Little More!! Hermosa letra y para nada sobrecargada. Producida por la misma Alessia. 10/10    … Expand
  9. orlandofav
    Nov 30, 2018
    10
    De principio a fin es un album muy bien estructurado con un gran seguimiento del tema "crecer duele" donde ciertas melodias se terminan con grandes letras, un gran seguimiento para 'Know It All', majestuoso en sonidos y en su genero como tal.
  10. arianamustdie
    Aug 25, 2019
    10
    She proves herself with every album. She writes her own music and does not depend on long list of writers and highly acclaimed producers.
  11. andyn823
    Jun 6, 2020
    9
    Again, I would like to say that, Alessia Cara needs to get more recognition that she deserves. This album, The Pains of Growing, is a new thing. It describes how Alessia has grown up to be a mature woman and she talks about the pains of her love, her lonely, her feelings... comparing to her past work, "Know-It-All", which she talks about her teenage dream and teenage life.
  12. martinibebe
    Nov 22, 2021
    10
    amazing! .
  13. DenzelJamie
    Jun 20, 2022
    10
    Alessia Cara kept it simple but sweet on this album. Here, she sounds so vulnerable and melancholic, often venting about her broken relationship with her ex. This is the most recommended album for a person who has just broken up with their partner. Kudos Alessia!

Awards & Rankings

89
#89 Most Discussed Album of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Q Magazine
    Dec 18, 2018
    40
    Overall it's too stodgy to soar. [Feb 2019, p.108]
  2. AllMusic
    Dec 14, 2018
    70
    The album's remainder employs assorted hit-angling producers connected by pop success with young women. The Pains of Growing is consequently more fragmented and less consistent than Know-It-All, but Cara makes the best of it, generally writing in a slightly wiser and sharper manner from the same introverted homebody perspective.
    Read full review
  3. NOW Magazine
    Dec 13, 2018
    80
    Her voice, while gorgeous, is not big in range--its beauty lies in its candidness and presence. She sings like she’s personally sharing intimate tales with each listener.
    Read full review
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