Alessia Cara’s hit “Here” has rocketed her to the Top 40. Seemingly new to mainstream music, she got her start on YouTube. She started to gain a following from her cover of the Neighbourhoods’ “Sweater Weather” back in 2013. In November of 2015, she released her first album, “Know-It-All," A fitting title for her spunky, independent personality. I first heard “Here” on the radio and decided to give her whole album a listen. Overall, it’s upbeat and full of anthems. I made it to the last track, “Scars To Your Beautiful," and was taken back. The song struck a nerve with me and I really felt like it was a song every girl needed to hear.

With a society consumed in media, criticism is everywhere. We used to be scared of the critics that we would face every day at school or work. Bullying has become something that happened to our face to something that happens online. However, it is not only direct criticism that breaks down a person's self-esteem. It is the portrayal of "perfect" models or actresses that are constantly praised by the media. Every day young men and women compare themselves to what they see on television or Instagram and it’s damaging. According to the Dove Self-Esteem Fund, 71 percent of girls feel like their appearance isn’t good enough. According to Glamour Magazine, 33 percent of women constantly feel negative about their body and 80 percent say that the mirror makes them feel bad. It is clear that we are fed a misconstrued view of a woman’s body. It can be damaging to find that your appearance doesn’t exactly match with what we see in magazines or movies.

Alessia touches on this substantial issue of body image and self-love, reminding girls that they are beautiful. I’ve had it on repeat for almost a week now and every listen I find a new line that is inspiring. These are a few of my favorite.

"She craves, attention she praises, an image
She prays to be, sculpted by the sculptor."

Alessia starts the song defining what type of girl goes through these thoughts of not being good enough. The definition she provides is inclusive. She shows that both girls who go unnoticed and those who crave attention want to be accepted by society or "the sculptor."

"She don't see her perfect, she don't understand she's worth it."

Easier said than believed. There have been a number of times I've been so confused as to why a friend would talk so negatively about themselves when in my eyes they were perfect. Sometimes, when it's us we are criticizing, we are far to hard on ourselves. Alessia shows that though you may not believe it yet, someone thinks you're "perfect" and "worth it."

"Beauty goes deeper than the surface."

The first time I heard this song I listened to this line over and over. So simple and so true. I've seen a fair share of videos all over Twitter and Tumblr of Alessia giving a little speech before she performs this song. In one of them, she says plainly, "It is not about beauty. It is about what is in your head, your brain and your soul and your heart."

Alessia's speech before performing "Scars To Your Beautiful" last night! How amazing is she? 💙 (via @jlynerissa) pic.twitter.com/GbpJh88caK
— Alessia Cara World (@AlessiaCWorld) February">https://twitter.com/AlessiaCWorld/status/697567076... 10, 2016

"Let me be your mirror, help you see a little bit clearer."

It's clear Alessia speaks volumes for a demographic that sometimes is so poorly represented. The image of the "outcast" has been spun into the unrealistic image of a Tumblr-like youth when in reality being on the outside isn't easy or glamorous. I like how people, who may feel alone or misunderstood, can find refuge in Alessia's lyrics and find power in being an individual.

"No better you than the you that you are."

Again, Alessia reminds her listeners that being you is OK. She reiterates that being you doesn't mean succumbing to the pressures of becoming the "you" others want you to be. Like Dr.Seuss said, "Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!"

"And you don't have to change a thing, the world could change its heart."

I think this says it all.

Check out Alessia's new album and be ready embrace her empowering lyrics! Remember, you're beautiful. Even if nobody has told you that, I'm telling you today and so is Alessia.