Back in June, singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams debuted her third album, “The Secret of Us.” Before the album’s release, Abrams teased that the record was “more extroverted” than her previous, more mellow releases such as “Good Riddance” (2023) and “This Is What It Feels Like” (2021). As someone who has been listening to Abrams since the release of her EP “minor” in 2020, I waited in anticipation for what I knew would be my album of the summer; I was not disappointed.
While I consider “The Secret of Us” a no-skip album, I unfortunately do have a word limit, so let me ramble about a select few of my favorite tracks. The album’s leading single “Risk” boasts an upbeat production and an urgent build-up to the bridge, drawing the listener in to Abrams’ sense of desperation. The track’s loud vocals and lyrics perfectly capture the uncertain, often manic, inner monologue of someone who is developing a crush as Abrams sings, “God, I’m actually invested, haven’t even met him. Watch this be the wrong thing, classic.” Abrams couldn’t have picked a more fitting track to be this album’s lead single as she takes on a bolder sound and explores a theme that isn’t heartbreak (finally).
Abrams’ personality and unfiltered lyricism shine in “Blowing Smoke.” The track opens with a soft acoustic guitar as Abrams critiques an old flame who has moved on. Although the track is relatively slow at first, the rhythm builds as Abrams spirals thinking about her ex’s new girlfriend. In the song’s second verse, the soft guitar is juxtaposed with the blunt lyric, “You look stupid going out. If she’s got a pulse she meets your standards now,” that had me rewinding to make sure I heard correctly on my first listen. While Abrams paints an image of heartbreak, she simultaneously mocks her former fling, reminding him that she knows him intimately in a way his new girlfriend cannot. In the chorus, Abrams angrily sings, “Are your conversations cool, like are you even interested? I know what you are, brighter than the stars. Tell me if she takes you far,” and, almost teasingly, closes the song by singing “I know” over and over. What can I say, I love a good angry ballad.
“Tough Love” is an ode to female friendships and Abrams’ realization that romantic flings don’t guarantee an intellectual or meaningful relationship. Unimpressed with her lover and with renewed clarity, Abrams sings, “No chance I waste my twenties on random men, not one of them is tougher than all my friends. And I hate to leave him bleedin’, but I know, know what I’m leaving for.”
In 2017, Abrams posted a 20 second snippet of an unreleased song called “Close to You.” Seven years later, Abrams caved to fans’ years of begging for the song’s release and announced “Close to You” as the album’s second single. When I played “Close to You” for my dad, he said, “This is a hit, I don’t know why she didn’t release it before.” Well said, Brian. Although she considered including the song on her previous album, Abrams ultimately decided not to because the sound didn’t match that of “Good Riddance.” I could not wait to listen to the song in-full rather than a short snippet on TikTok. After getting off my shift at 1 a.m., I promptly popped in headphones to romanticize my commute home with “Close to You” on repeat. As an upbeat pop-synth track pleasantly similar to Lorde’s “Green Light,” the song stands out from the typical Abrams releases and explores similar themes as “Risk.”
Although probably the most gut-wrenching, “I Knew It, I Know You” is my all-time favorite on the album. The track includes Abrams’ signature soft guitar as she mourns a relationship where the connection inevitably flatlines. The song’s tempo slows for the bridge as Abrams apologetically sings, “And we don’t even know each other now,” and, “You had the wrong idea about me. And all I ever did was consider you, until all I could do was consider me.” In the song’s final chorus, Abrams’ voice rises and she softly sings “down” over and over in the background, a nod to “Long Sleeves” off of her EP where she closes the song by singing “I’m coming down” repeatedly.
While every song on the album showcases Abrams’ talent, a few of my honorable mentions include “I Love You, I’m Sorry,” “Let It Happen” and “Free Now.” As a girl in her early 20s, it often feels like Abrams pulls inspiration from my journal for her music, and “The Secret of Us” is no exception. Abrams’ signature vulnerability and relatability are truly prevalent throughout the album as she sings about emotions ranging from heartache to friendship and even the psychosis that comes with having a crush. It’s comforting to know that Abrams has experienced some of the same niche feelings that I have, and I’m grateful that she chooses to sing about them.
