Faith, Failure and the Peaks That Carry “We’re Growing Up”

Brandi Carlile’s We’re Growing Up is a short, heavy record about faith, failure and the space between the two. It runs eleven tracks and 37 minutes, and it doesn’t waste a second of either.

The album opens small with “Scary Cloud,” a brief sketch that sets the tone before “Silver Cloud” picks things up. “Glory” follows with a slow, steady build, and “Tired” and “Until I Die” keep the pace low and deliberate. “Turpentine” and “Wasted” are where the record starts to loosen up, both songs carrying a restless energy that sets them apart from the earlier tracks. “Somewhere Along the Way” eases things back down, a quiet bridge before “Again Today” stretches the album’s longest run at 4:37, giving the record its most patient moment. “Caroline” and “Last One to Know” close things out on a note of exhaustion and acceptance.

“Church & State” is the standout. It’s the song that stands out, and it earns the attention. The rest of the record holds together, but it’s the peaks that matter most.

Track by Track

• “Scary Cloud” (0:30) — a brief, quiet opener that sets the tone.
• “Silver Cloud” (2:53) — picks things up after the opener.
• “Glory” (3:52) — slow, steady, building toward something.
• “Tired” (3:46) — one of the quieter moments in the middle stretch.
• “Until I Die” (3:55) — keeps the low, deliberate pace going.
• “Turpentine” (3:02) — the first real burst of energy.
• “Wasted” (3:50) — restless, urgent, stands out from everything around it.
• “Somewhere Along the Way” (3:53) — a calm bridge between the peaks.
• “Again Today” (4:37) — the longest track, patient and unhurried.
• “Caroline” (3:06) — a quieter, more resigned close.
• “Last One to Know” (4:01) — ends the record on exhaustion.

The Verdict

We’re Growing Up is a tight, deliberate record that knows exactly what it wants to be. The peaks — especially “Church & State” — are high enough to carry the whole thing, even when the rest coasts.

It’s a record about growing older and losing your footing, and it lands exactly where it aims.

KEY FACTS
– Eleven tracks, 37 minutes total
– Longest track: “Again Today” (4:37)
– Shortest track: “Scary Cloud” (0:30)

The recordWe’re Growing Up Brandi Carlile11 tracks · 37 min

1. Scary Cloud0:30
2. Silver Cloud2:53
3. Glory3:52
4. Tired3:46
5. Until I Die3:55
6. Turpentine3:02
7. Wasted3:50
8. Somewhere Along the Way3:53
9. Again Today4:37
10. Caroline3:06
11. Last One to Know4:01

2026 albums · album review · Brandi Carlile · faith music · folk rock