Critic Rating: 8/10
Edited by Vaibhvi Patel, Valencia Li, and Samia Orva
Gracie Abrams has become a rising artist in the last four years on every “sad-girl pop” playlist. She first became famous for her honest and personal songwriting when her EP This is What it Feels Like came out in 2021. Her singles “Stay” and “Mess it Up” have supported her growth as they became trending on TikTok. Since then, she has released her album Good Riddance last year, and has opened up for Oliva Rodrigo on tour. She even spent the summer last year opening up for Taylor Swift on the Eras Tour, and getting nominated for a Grammy. Abrams, becoming a phenomenal songwriter, has just debuted her second studio album, The Secret of Us.
The resilient song “Felt Good About You,” which begins The Secret of Us, almost serves as the album’s thesis statement. The song opens up with a very soft tone and goes straight into her expressing how she was with her boyfriend until she realized he was no longer good for her. Halfway through the song, she says, “All my friends tried to stop me wanting you / But I was never meant to listen, not until I found a reason / It took all of me to walk away and choose.” In my opinion, Abrams could have started off her album with a better song than this. However, it did leave me excited to hear the rest of the songs.
The lead single and second track of this album is called “Risk.” I was much more impressed with this song as it lived up to my expectations. It starts with a beautiful guitar and is more of an upbeat song than her classic sad tunes. This song showed off Abrams’ ability to transform a somber sound into something that is upbeat, lyrical, and lively. I love the meaning behind this song as it talks about how someone can desire a person who they haven’t even met yet, and can create fantasies and dreams about them. I think many people can relate to this concept.
The song “Blowing Smoke” has become one of the most played songs of the album and a favorite of mine. This song explores the emotional fallout from a breakup, expressing the raw and sometimes contradictory emotions that surface when a relationship ends. The song’s lyrics vividly depict a person attempting to persuade themselves that they are better off without their ex-lover, yet struggling with the hurt of watching them move on. In the end, “Blowing Smoke” is a moving examination of heartache, self-realization, and the difficult path to recovery.
The next song, “I Love You, I’m Sorry,” has to be my top favorite song on this album. The tone and the lyrics are just a beautiful creation. This track is one that you can listen to screaming in your car, or even crying to. It is a song that explores the nuances of a previous relationship that was characterized by love, regret, and time. The repeated phrase, “That’s just the way life goes,” reflects the acceptance of life’s inevitable ups and downs despite the suffering. The honest and self-aware lyrics by Abrams acknowledge both human frailties and the cyclical nature of making atonement. The constant apologizing and admitting that you were “wrong again” are signs of a deep-seated guilt and a desire for healing. The sad refrain of the song, “I love you, I’m sorry,” depicts the dichotomy of their relationship — love entwined with regret.
Gracie Abrams has prospered a close relationship with Taylor Swift after opening for her on her Eras tour. This friendship has given the Gracie Abrams fans and Swifties a new song called “Us.” This song inspired the album name as one of the lyrics is, “Wonder if you forget the secret of us.” It is a song that Swift and Abrams wrote one night about a past relationship that burned brightly and quickly. This song is a wonderful and great addition to the album, and I love how the two singers sound together.
The sixth song on this album, “Let It Happen,” didn’t stand out to me much. In the chorus, it talks about a strong desire for the other person’s attention — even to the point of self-sacrifice. Despite the possibility of heartbreak, Abrams talks about how she is willing to give everything for this connection. The repeated line, “Just for you, I let it happen,” emphasizes letting things happen as they naturally would, even if it results in tragedy.
“Tough Love” caught me by surprise when I first listened to the album. I feel like this song is the turning point of the album where it goes from “missing and crying over the boy” to finding your worth. The lyrics “And I’m not gonna miss his old inflated ego, shallow thinking / And I’m not gonna miss denying that I got my damn reasons” shows how she is finding out that he is no longer worth her time anymore.
“I Knew It, I Know You” continues to carry the meaning that “Tough Love” did. The lyrics, “I can’t pretend that I’m sorry when I’m not sorry,” emphasize the importance of being true to oneself, even if it means causing pain to someone else. I like how the song has the same meaning as the previous one, but also captures the bittersweet essence of both personal development and the end of a meaningful relationship.
The next song, “Gave You I Gave You I,” dives deeply into the anguish of feeling exploited and the emotional agony of unrequited love. The song’s lyrics clearly represent a relationship in which one party offers everything they have, only to face rejection and eventually to be left behind. It shows off Abrams’ voice and the lyrics tell a meaningful story. I am glad she added this to her album.
The song “Normal Thing” was quite boring to me. It was one of my least favorite songs on this album. There was nothing wrong with it, but the song just didn’t stand out to me. There was no turning point, and it barely had a change in the tone, which made me bored.
The second to last song “Free Now” was the perfect song to lead up to the last song. I like how it didn’t have a soft or sad tune, but more of Abrams’ pop one. The lyrics show the inner struggle that comes with making the tough choice to let go and heal on a personal level. The meaning behind the song shows how it can be hard to move on, especially while having lingering feelings for someone.
Finally, my second favorite and the last song in this album is “Close To You.” Abrams was not going to release this song for some time because she said it didn’t fit her sound. However, I am so happy she decided to close this album with this song because it is just the perfect synth-pop, summery sound.
Although, one or two of these songs did not live up to my expectations, I believe Abrams did an overall fantastic job with this album. She is undoubtedly developing as an artist, and laying the groundwork for a prosperous future. She is currently on tour for her new album, demonstrating her potential as a rising star. I’m excited to watch her grow and continue to produce exquisitely composed music.