Canadian pop singer Alessia Cara showcases ample potential on her full-length debut, Know-It-All.

Ah, there’s nothing like fresh blood… not in a vampire sort of way of course. No family, friends, and fiends there’s nothing like fresh blood in the music industry, particularly in pop and R&B circles. 19-year old Canadian newbie Alessia Cara clearly represents the new guard and aspires to be the ‘next big thing’ on her full-length debut, Know-It-All. Is Cara the second coming – you know the answer to that BTW. While she may not revolutionize or flip the game, she’s definitely a welcome new presence, which she successfully showcases on album number one.

“Seventeen”

Things start off exceptionally with the memorable, relatable ✓ “Seventeen.” Cara sings:

“I was too young to understand what it means

I couldn’t wait ‘til I could be seventeen

I thought he lied when he said take my time to dream

Now I wish I could freeze the time at seventeen.”

Basically, it’s the old eager to grow up then wishing for time to freeze or slow down.

“Here”

“Seventeen” is a stand out itself, but it definitely can’t supplant ✓ “Here,” likely the reason Know-It-All scored a top-ten debut. Isaac Hayes has been sampled numerous times quite effectively.  Once more, the magic of his artistry shines through “Here.” “Here” is an honest, confessional anthem about feeling out of place socially, specifically at a party.

“Excuse me if I seem a little unimpressed with this,” she sings on the second verse. She continues:

“An antisocial pessimist, but usually I don’t mess with this…but honestly I’d rather be

Somewhere with my people

We can kick it and just listen to

Some music with a message…”

“Outlaws”

“Outlaws” retains the soulfulness of “Here,” arguably amplifying it with its throwback touches. It doesn’t dare step on the toes of outgoing greatness, but definitely maintains the sentiment that Cara is an artist to take seriously. “I’m Yours” similarly keeps things on-point, aided by its relatively spry pace, sound vocals, and catchy songwriting, particularly the chorus.  ✓ “Four Pink Walls” gives Know-It-All another highlight drenched in authenticity. Why so authentic? It’s real talk about Cara achieving her dreams:

“Then the universe aligned

With what I had in mind

Who know there was a life

Behind those four pink walls?”

More artists would benefit from speaking upon their experiences. This is phenomenal for a musician as young as Cara.

 “Wild Things”

Honesty and authenticity continue to be the M.O. on ✓ “Wild Things,” where Cara tells folks, “Find me where the wild things are…don’t mind us.” Preceding the key lyrics of the chorus, Cara shows her feistiness and carefree attitude about being different:

“No mistakin’, we make our breaks, if you don’t like our 808s

Then leave us alone, cause we don’t need your policies

We have no apologies for being…”

“Scars To Your Beautiful”

“Stone” slackens the pace timely, showcasing the sheer beauty and expressiveness of Cara’s youthful pipes. Young she may be, but she sounds incredibly experienced by all means. “Overdose” picks up the tempo, driven by incredibly rhythmic drums.  Penultimate record “Stars” isn’t the most thrilling song of Know-It-All, but like everything else relatable – yearning for a relationship that you feel could be great. Often it’s that sense of having “stars in your eyes” and in this case, Cara thinks her and her potential lover “could be stars.” Closer ✓ “Scars To Your Beautiful” is uplifting:

“You should know you’re beautiful just the way you are

And you don’t have to change a thing

The world could change its heart.”

Final Thoughts 

If ten tracks of Cara isn’t enough, the deluxe version expands the track-list by three songs – “Here – 2:00 AM Version,” “River of Tears,” and “My Song.” Regardless which version tickles your fancy, Know-It-All is a well-rounded, enjoyable album by all means. It’s not perfection exemplified, but there’s plenty to love about the album and Cara herself. Three cheers for Alessia Cara everyone!

✓ Gems: “Seventeen,” “Here,” “Four Pink Walls,” “Wild Things” & “Scars to Your Beautiful”

Alessia Cara • Know-It-All • Def Jam • Release: 11.13.15

Photo Credit: Def Jam