Alessia Cara’s ‘Love or Lack Thereof’ is a Beautiful Experiment that Doesn’t Always Justify Itself — Album Review

Alessia Cara takes a different approach with her new album, Love or Lack Thereof, by trailblazing sideways, rather than forward.

Instead of delivering a new chapter, she revisits her past, reworking songs from across her catalog into jazz and soul-inspired arrangements. It is an intriguing concept, rooted more in artistry than commercial instinct.

However, intention does not always equal impact.

The idea, on paper, makes perfect sense, especially considering how many pop artists have recently revisited their past eras.

Cara has always had the kind of voice that fits naturally within live instrumentation and stripped-back production. Here, she leans into that strength, recording with jazz musicians and reshaping familiar tracks into softer, more intimate versions. And vocally, she delivers.

Her voice sounds richer, more controlled, and more expressive than ever. There is a warmth to these arrangements that allows her tone to breathe, gliding over piano, horns, and subtle percussion with ease. At its best, the album feels like a late-night performance in a small, dimly lit room.

Those moments are genuinely beautiful. But the problem is not execution.

Love or Lack Thereof is built almost entirely on reinterpretation. The album pulls from previous projects, reshaping songs instead of introducing new ones, with only minimal fresh material included. That makes the listening experience feel uneven.

For longtime fans, there is some novelty in hearing these songs transformed. A track like “Stay,” once a polished pop collaboration, becomes softer and more reflective. Other songs gain new emotional textures through slower tempos and live instrumentation.

Sadly, novelty fades. Without a strong sense of reinvention, many tracks begin to blend. The jazz and soul influences are tasteful, but they are applied so consistently that the album starts to feel one-note. The arrangements are pleasant, but rarely surprising. And that lack of variation stands out.

There is also the question of necessity. Reimagined albums work best when they reveal something new. A deeper emotion. A new perspective. Here, those revelations are limited. The songs are different, but not always deeper.

Features add texture, but they do not transform the experience. The collaborations fit seamlessly into the album’s tone, which helps with cohesion but limits contrast.

Nothing feels out of place, and yet very little demands attention.

To Cara’s credit, the album is beautifully cohesive.

It flows smoothly, maintaining a consistent mood that makes it easy to play from start to finish. It feels curated and intentional. There is clear care in how Cara reshapes these songs for a new era.

It is a good listen. Just not an essential one.

Love or Lack Thereof feels like a passion project. Something made out of love for music rather than a need to push forward creatively. There is value in that.

However, for an artist who we know is capable of sharp songwriting and emotional depth, this project does not fully showcase what makes her compelling. It highlights her voice, but not her evolution, and that distinction matters.

Alessia Cara proves she can reinterpret her past. The question is whether she needed to.

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What is your favorite track on Love or Lack Thereof? Let us know in the comments below!

 

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