Words by Eleanor Weber | Photographer: Alex Rose Lang
Trousdale’s sophomore album Growing Pains brings with it a striking sense of emotional realism from the opening beat. The western-inspired, indie-pop sound of the trio, made up of Georgia Greene, Quinn D’Andrea, and Lauren Jones, pulls the listener instantly into a soundscape that feels expansive and lived-in, like an open highway at golden hour. The harmonies are, as always, breathtaking—layered, intimate, and instinctively in sync, but this time, there’s something different. It’s more grounded, more raw, and somehow, more alive, like you’re right there watching them live.
The record leans into an Americana twang in ways that feel unexpectedly natural. The western warmth oozes not from their instrumentation alone but rather in the spirit the band brings of wonder, growth, and healing. It’s a perfect soundtrack for a summer road trip, where the windows are down, and the weight of heartbreak lingers just enough to feel beautifully human.
One of the standout tracks, “Lonely Night,” evokes the bittersweet glow of a night out in Nashville—glittering on the outside, a little achy underneath. “Want Me Back” is another gut punch: a ballad so tender and vocally rich that it resurfaces emotions you forgot you ever felt. Meanwhile, “Don’t Tell Me” offers listeners a glimpse of Trousdale’s live-show magic, something the trio shared they wanted to tap into more for their second album. This song, in particular, was easy for me to imagine live, and it makes me all the more excited for their accompanying tour this year.
Their thrill factor as a trio is perhaps most evident in “Save Me,” which showcases their playfulness through punchy guitar riffs, unexpected staccatos, and percussive vocals. The album ends on “Last Bloom,” a brief, ethereal track that encapsulates the message I took from the album: that growth and change, even the painful kinds, are necessary and beautiful in their own right.
The accompanying music videos for Growing Pains provide an incredible visual landscape that emulates the trios curated sonic aesthetic. Their Powerpuff-Girls/Superhero-inspired alter egos, vivid color stories (green for Quinn D’Andrea, blue for Lauren Jones, pink for Georgia Greene), and styling. Add a layer of narrative richness to their personal brand. Each video—from the superhero transformations in “Growing Pains” to the retro prom visuals of “Want Me Back”—offers a visual interpretation of their aural genius.
They say there’s power in threes, and Trousdale’s bond and growth is living proof. The band operates with that same strength of the triangle and manage to take melancholic themes, such as heartbreak and self-doubt, and offer them wrapped in harmonies and melodies that give them a livable and honest narrative, one audiences are captivated and comforted by.
What makes Growing Pains so successful isn’t just the pristine production or the poetic lyrics, it’s the emotional intelligence behind it all. Trousdale has truly leaned into their identity as a band: a tight, collaborative trio navigating the changing tides of young adulthood with humor, grace, and a deep well of empathy. With this release, Trousdale cements themselves not just as vocal powerhouses but as intentional audiovisual storytellers. In a pop landscape that can often feel synthetic, Growing Pains is refreshingly human