Breakout Canadian country artist and 2022 CMAOntario Rising Starnominee Alli Walker has released her sophomore album Growing Up and new single by the same name. A deeply personal album, Growing Up showcases Walker’s growth and evolution as both a songwriter and musician since the release of her debut album in 2019.
“I always want to make music based on where I am in life and that hasn’t changed with this album,” says Walker. “Growing Up is a continuation of my mindful approach to making music because it tells the story of what I’ve been going through since the release of The Basement Sessions. Since then I’ve been lucky enough to see some of my goals come to fruition and because of that I’ve found myself in a better space – a bit more lighthearted – and that’s definitely reflected in this music.”
In addition to more playful tracks like previously released “Red Wine or Whiskey,” “Country Music” and “Maybe I’m Still Drunk,” the album also dives deep into Walker’s more personal side and the struggle of living so far away from family and friends for over half her life. The new single and album title track “Growing Up” tells Walker’s story of leaving home when she was a teenager to follow her dreams. Following her through the ups and downs of partying, financial struggles and homesickness that come while trying to find yourself in a new unfamiliar place, “Growing Up” presents a theme song for those currently chasing their dreams, no matter the cost.
“It is truly my autobiography,” said Walker of the new single. “I know parts of my journey will feel so familiar to others and that’s what makes this track so important to me. As soon as I wrote it I knew I wanted the album to be called the same thing. Both tell the truth behind the last four years; of me growing up in ways I didn’t anticipate having to, and I hope that people will be able to relate to that.”
Fans can catch Walker play many of these new tracks for the first time this summer in her home province of PEI at Cavendish Beach Music Festival and then at Boots and Hearts, taking the stage at Ontario’s iconic country festival for the first time this year.
Since dropping her debut in 2019 Walker has made quite the mark on the Canadian country music scene, finding her sound and carving her own path in the industry. Boasting over 4.5M+ streams, Walker has landed spots on some of Canada’s top playlists including covers on both Apple Music’s ‘Canada’s Country’ and Amazon Music’s ‘Breakthrough Country.’ Last year Walker garnered her second nomination at the CMAOntario Awards in the Rising Star category and was named Spotify’s Radar Artist on the Horizon.
