Tabitha Wilson
In her sophomore album, The Secret of Us, indie pop starlet Gracie Abrams showcases breathtaking vulnerability.
The 24-year-old musician started her career by releasing her debut EP, Minor, in 2020. This was supported by various singles, such as the viral hit I Miss You, I’m Sorry.
Her first album, Good Riddance (2023), attracted positive reviews and made Abrams one to watch. The singer worked alongside a founding member of the rock band The National and Aaron Dessner, who frequently collaborates with pop sensation Taylor Swift.
The American songwriter also opened for Olivia Rodrigo’s SOUR tour in 2022 and Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour in 2023.
“It’s clear that Abrams is breaking into the mainstream”
However, she has been criticised for being a ‘nepo baby’. Her father is filmmaker J. J. Abrams, and her mother and grandparents are film and television producers. Despite this, she is arguably making a name for herself as a talented artist in her own right – and The Secret of Us proves this.
With the record already charting at number 1 in the UK and placing second on the US Billboard 200, it’s clear that Abrams is breaking into the mainstream.
Album Highlights
The album opens with the soft, beautifully melancholic Felt Good About You, which explores the conflicting feelings that arise in difficult relationships. Aaron Dessner’s production is evident here, with the track (and much of the album) sonically echoing Taylor Swift’s surprise 2020 release, Evermore – also produced by Dessner.
The lead single, Risk, follows. With a gloriously catchy melody and self-assured lyricism from the songwriter, it feels as though Abrams has finally found her voice.
Another highlight that follows is Blowing Smoke, which has a tangible bitterness and whispery vocals reminiscent of indie folk singer Phoebe Bridgers, with scathing lyrics such as “Tell me, is she prettier than she was on the internet? Are your conversations cool? Are you even interested?”
“It’s no surprise this song has resonated with her young female audience.”
In Blowing Smoke, Abrams perfectly captures how it feels to see someone move on. Unsurprisingly, this song has resonated so much with her young female audience.
I Love You, I’m Sorry is an intoxicatingly intimate portrait of the realities of relationships. It has perfectly placed strings, contributing to a heartbreakingly beautiful instrumental. The singer’s confessional lyricism elevates the track, with Abrams declaring, “I was a dick, it is what it is”.
Perhaps the most highly anticipated track on the record, us., features the singer’s collaborator and friend, Taylor Swift. Gorgeous harmonies layered over a hazy acoustic instrumental make this song one of the record’s highlights, with the bridge building frantically to create a cathartic celebration of angst.
Relatable and vulnerable songwriting
Abrams explores various themes throughout the record. The standout track, Tough Love, is a new anthem for female friendship, with lyrics such as “No chance I waste my twenties on random men. Not one of them is cooler than all my friends.”
“It’s evident Swift’s lyricism heavily influences Abrams’ work, but this only elevates her songwriting”
Gave You I Gave You I paints a heartbreaking narrative of desperation and unrequited love. The singer emotionally pleads to her ex-lover, “Could you not deny the truth? Cause I know just what happened. You got bored, and I felt used. Now I’m all sad about it.” It’s evident Swift’s lyricism heavily influences Abrams’ work, but this only elevates her songwriting.
In Normal Thing and Free Now, the musician tentatively questions what comes next after a breakup, with sombre synths bubbling underneath breezy vocals that never quite reach the surface.
A Bright Future
The album concludes with the viral smash hit Close To You. The summery synths and self-assured vocals make this one of Abrams’ best tracks. Reminiscent of electropop legend Lorde’s critically acclaimed Melodrama, Close To You is the most promising sign that Abrams is set for mega-stardom.
The musician announced a US tour starting in September of this year – but after playing in Europe and Australia on her last tour in 2023, fans should keep an eye out for more international dates to be added.
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Featured image courtesy of Justin Higuchi via Flickr. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.
Tabitha Wilson
Tabitha is currently a reporter for Newsquest, and was previously an MA Journalism student at Sheffield University. She has worked as a maritime journalist in the past, and studied politics at Durham University. She enjoys writing about music, culture, and travel.