Gracie Abrams has had a slow climb to fame. Her first EP in 2020, titled minor, was able to put her on the map. Specifically, her simple yet heartbreaking song “I miss you, I’m sorry” stood out on this album and got onto many break up-themed playlists. Her second EP, This Is What It Feels Like, offered a melancholic outlook on a spring break love affair and the rollercoaster of feelings that accompanied it.
In 2023, her first album Good Riddance debuted. For the first time, it showcased Abrams’s versatility as an artist, highlighting her ability to masterfully weave a story and pair it with soulful vocals. Though it was a phenomenal first album, Abrams did not see a rise in popularity. Her monthly listeners stayed relatively the same, and it became clear that the fans she had were the same ones that had been loyal since the beginning.
However, this smaller and more familiar fanbase is evolving. Abrams has been opening for Taylor Swift at the Eras Tour, even getting to perform with the starlet. This opportunity to showcase her music to such a large audience has allowed her status to catapult into stardom amidst the likes of Sabrina Carpenter, Ariana Grande, and Dua Lipa.
With her recent album, The Secret Of Us, the story is slowly changing. At 47 minutes with 13 songs, Abrams was able to unlock a new level of well-deserved appreciation from the media for her work. This album is a standout amidst the similar-sounding works of today. Mostly acoustic, with the occasional pop moment that is seen with “Close To You,” The Secret Of Us is currently an undiscovered masterpiece.
The first single “Risk” was one of the strongest on the album. Showcasing Abrams’s vocals, the track is both relatable and understandable. Abrams confesses to knowing that the relationship that she is about to dive into is treacherous and a risk, but overrides the knowledge by saying that she’s willing to take it. With the line “I’m gonna bend till I break / And you’ll be my greatest mistake,” Abrams proves that she is unafraid to display her vulnerability and unabashed about her willingness to go through struggles for love.
Apart from that, the main songs that stood out were “I Love You, I’m Sorry” (which served as a continuation of “I miss you, I’m sorry”), “Blowing Smoke,” and “I Knew It, I Know You.”
“I Love You, I’m Sorry” came with a perfectly built bridge and a music video ripe with the warm tones of summer. Abrams is able to admit to her faults in a previous relationship, and this show of accountability is rare for artists to do, making this track even more emotional.
In “Blowing Smoke,” Abrams compares herself to her ex’s new lover. Her feelings of envy and hurt are apparent in the way she sings the words, as if she’s pointing fingers and spitting venom.
Meanwhile, “I Knew It, I Know You” is an ode to unrequited love. It is about knowing someone so well, while they don’t know you at all. Abrams predicts the loneliness that the person will experience when she leaves them for what she deserves: someone that will love her as much as she loves them.
While these tracks are all memorable and worthy of admiration, “us. (ft. Taylor Swift)” is a powerhouse in itself. Written by Abrams, Taylor Swift, and legendary producer and member of The National and Big Red Machine, Aaron Dessner, the song reads as poetry or a dated letter reminiscing on past times. The melodies are hypnotic, with Abrams and Swift harmonizing angelically. A notable lyric is “The curse or a miracle / Hearse or an oracle,” which conveys that the aftermath of the affair couldn’t be determined as good or bad, rather that it was able to exist somewhere in between. The track ultimately ends with the pair deciding that the secret love that was shared was something that could never be matched or paid tribute to, because the tumultuousness was what made it so special.
As a whole, this project was precise, particular, and perfect in its execution. A solid 10/10, this album is nothing short of amazing. Luckily enough, Abrams gets to go on her fourth—but most highly awaited—concert tour to commemorate this unique and utterly awesome work of hers.
