On June 21st, Gracie Abrams released her second album, The Secret of Us. The album was so successful that she released the deluxe version with four new tracks and three live-recorded songs.
The album captures the highs and lows of being a teenage girl. With heartache, friendship, and the anxiety of having a crush, it portrays every emotion of vulnerability that resonates with her growing fanbase. It’s an emotionally charged journey through the complexities of love, heartache, and self-discovery. Each song on The Secret of Us is a personal reflection, showing moments of introspection while inviting listeners to find their connection to the stories she shares.
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The album opens with “Felt Good About You,” a soft track that sets the tone for the album. The production is minimal, with a soft acoustic guitar and tender piano. Lyrically, it’s about the bittersweet feeling of a past love, where the initial feelings were warm and optimistic but eventually ended in regret.
I liked this song, but the lyrics felt too simple. It reminded me a lot of her first album Good Riddance, which made it a good opening track since it provides a nice transition from the softness of her first album into the more pop vibe of the Secret of Us. The production is boring; it fits the lyrics, but I was expecting more from an opening track, especially from Aaron Dessner.
Production: 4/10 Lyrics: 4/10 Overall Score: 8/20
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With “Risk,” the album transitions to a more upbeat sound. The song’s theme is the vulnerability of taking risks in new love. The percussion and synths add a sense of momentum to the track, mirroring the excitement and fear that accompany developing a crush. Gracie’s voice moves between hope and reluctance, capturing the balance of trusting someone while being aware of the potential for heartbreak.
I think this might be my favorite song on the album. The lyrics feel complex, and something most teenagers can relate to. The song’s production is perfect for the lyrics and themes of the song, I think it was the perfect lead single to start her new era of music.
Production: 9/10 Lyrics: 10/10 Overall Score: 19/20
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“Blowing Smoke” is a clever exploration of empty promises and words that accompany many relationships. The song has ethereal instrumentation that matches the concept of smoke—something that can’t be held onto and quickly dissipates. Gracie sings about the disillusionment of a love that felt real but wasn’t. The track feels introspective as if she’s coming to terms with the realization that not everything is as it seems. I think the lyrics are catchy, but the production was mediocre.
Production: 6/10 Lyrics: 8/10 Overall Score: 14/20
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“I Love You, I’m Sorry” brings a raw, emotional weight to the album. The song builds gradually into a heartfelt expression of regret and longing. “I Love You, I’m Sorry” feels like a confession, with Gracie offering both an apology and a declaration of love, capturing the complexity of emotions that often linger after a breakup. The track’s simplicity allows her vulnerability to shine through, and the sincerity in her voice makes it impossible not to feel the heartache she’s expressing. It’s also a follow-up to one of my favorite tracks from her debut EP, “I Miss You, I’m Sorry,” making it that much better.
Production: 10/10 Lyrics: 9/10 Overall Score: 19/20
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The collaboration between Gracie Abrams and Taylor Swift on “us.” is a wonderful combination of two singer-songwriters who excel at composing deeply emotional music. The song feels like an anthem for navigating a relationship that feels doomed yet impossible to let go of. The production is dense, with a haunting melody that creates a dreamy atmosphere. Taylor Swift’s harmonies add an extra layer of emotion, and their voices intertwine seamlessly. Together, they create a track that’s both heart-wrenching and beautiful.
Production: 7/10 Lyrics: 8/10 Overall Score: 15/10
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“Let It Happen” is a track that embraces the uncertainty of love. The production here is broad, with a driving rhythm that conveys a sense of letting go. Gracie sings about surrendering to emotions and allowing herself to be swept away by the unpredictability of love. It’s a moment of freedom within the album, where the introspection gives way to a sense of acceptance and release. It is an emotional song filled with all the pent-up aggression after a relationship ends. Gracie perfectly captures that feeling of not being able to believe someone could be so clueless of just how troubled you are by your feelings for them. She understands just how delusional having a crush can make you.
Production: 7/10 Lyrics: 8/10 Overall Score: 15/20
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With “Tough Love,” the album takes on a slightly more rebellious tone. The song is a reflection on the difficult aspects of love that come with boundaries and emotional resilience. Gracie’s vocals here are stronger, and the production is more layered, with a steady beat that drives the track forward. It’s about the tough lessons that come with loving someone. She expresses the difficulty of knowing when to walk away, even if you still care. It’s a song of personal growth and self-protection.
Production: 7/10 Lyrics: 8/10 Overall Score: 15/10
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One of the more intimate tracks on the album, “I Knew It, I Know You” shows the sense of familiarity and connection that comes with being close to someone. Gracie reflects on the depth of understanding between herself and her partner and how their bond changed her. The song’s soft melody creates a comforting tone, emphasizing the reassurance of really knowing someone. It’s a gentle moment on the album, filled with nostalgia and bittersweet emotions.
Production: 6/10 Lyrics: 7/10 Overall Score: 13/20
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The repetition in “Gave You I Gave You I” creates a hypnotic effect. Gracie sings about offering parts of herself to someone, only to feel they never fully understood or appreciated what was given. The production, with its light instrumentation and slow build, emphasizes the feeling of being emotionally drained. This track feels like an anthem for anyone who has given too much of themselves to someone who didn’t reciprocate. It’s a cathartic release of emotion. Much like “Blowing Smoke” Gracie sings about being underappreciated in situationships, “You got bored and I felt usеd / now I’m all sad about it.” Reminiscent of Taylor Swift’s Red (Taylor’s version) & The Tortured Poets Department, the track explores the emotions that come along with feeling like someone meant more to you than you did to them.
Production: 6/10 Lyrics: 8/10 Overall Score: 14/20
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A slightly more upbeat offering, “Normal Thing” explores the desire for simplicity in a relationship, where things aren’t always complicated or fraught with tension. The track has a light, catchy melody that contrasts with the deeper themes of longing and uncertainty. Gracie’s voice here is more playful, and the production feels breezier, as though she’s imagining an idealized version of love where everything just works. It’s a refreshing break from the heaviness of the previous tracks.
Production: 4/10 Lyrics: 5/10 Overall Score: 9/20
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“Good Luck Charlie” brings a little more edge to the album, both musically and lyrically. The track addresses a breakup with a mixture of defiance and sadness. The production is slightly more electronic, with sharp beats and synth textures that add a modern touch to the song. Gracie’s voice remains vulnerable, but there’s an underlying strength as she wishes her ex well, knowing that the relationship is over. It’s a moment of closure, but also bittersweet independence.
Production: 5/10 Lyrics: 5/10 Overall Score: 10/20
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One of the more empowering tracks on the album, “Free Now” captures the sense of liberation that comes after the end of a difficult relationship. The production here is expansive, with swelling strings and a soaring melody that reflects Gracie’s newfound freedom. Lyrically, the song is about shedding the weight of a past love and stepping into a new chapter of self-discovery. It’s an uplifting anthem of personal growth, signaling a moment of transformation.
Production: 8/10 Lyrics: 9/10 Overall Score: 17/20
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Closing the album, “Close To You” is a beautiful and intimate track about longing and closeness. The production is lush and emotional, with soft piano and strings creating a cinematic atmosphere. Gracie’s voice is tender, conveying both a yearning for intimacy and a sense of vulnerability. It’s a quiet and poignant end to an album filled with deep emotional exploration, leaving the listener with a sense of peace and closure.
Gracie Abrams never thought they’d get to hear the song when she teased it in 2016. She finally gave the people what they wanted and released “Close To You.” I’ve listened to that 2016 teaser more times than I can count, and I was certain she’d never release it, I’m so glad she did!
Production: 8/10 Lyrics: 7/10 Overall Score: 15/20
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In addition to the 13 core tracks of The Secret of Us, Gracie Abrams released four bonus tracks that offer even more layers to the emotional depth and sonic landscape of the album. These extra tracks provide a fresh perspective on the themes of love, self-discovery, and vulnerability that are prevalent throughout the main album.
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With “Cool,” Gracie offers a more laid-back, almost playful track that juxtaposes the emotional intensity found in much of the album. The production is subtle and breezy and gives the song a relaxed vibe. Lyrically, “Cool” explores the complex feeling of trying to appear unaffected by something that deeply affects you. Gracie sings with a sense of both resignation and defiance, capturing the duality of wanting to maintain composure while internally struggling. It’s a song that speaks to the masks we wear to protect ourselves in relationships, but it never loses its charm. The track’s vulnerability shines through, despite the seemingly casual exterior.
Production: 8/10 Lyrics: 8/10 Overall Score: 16/20
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“That’s So True” has a slightly more upbeat tempo than the preceding tracks, introducing a more pop-leaning style while maintaining the emotional depth that Gracie is known for. The song’s playful yet sincere tone is rooted in an honest conversation about self-awareness and acknowledging the truths we don’t always want to face. There’s a sense of twisted humor in the lyrics, with Gracie discussing the contradictions in her feelings. The production is warmer and more catchy than some of the other songs on the album. It’s a perfect example of how she can weave emotional insight into even the more lighthearted moments of her music.
Production: 8/10 Lyrics: 9/10 Overall Score: 17/20
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This track feels like an emotional unraveling, with Gracie confessing to a partner about things left unsaid. The production is minimalist, allowing her voice to take full command of the song. “I Told You Things” is full of regret and longing, as Gracie reflects on the weight of confessions made in the heat of the moment and the emotional aftermath of those revelations. There’s a sense of vulnerability that cuts deep, as she exposes the emotional complexity of sharing personal truths with someone else. The song’s tone is melancholic yet gentle, and Gracie’s delicate vocal delivery gives it a haunting quality. It’s a beautiful exploration of intimacy and the weight that comes with emotional transparency in relationships.
Production: 6/10 Lyrics: 7/10 Overall Score: 13/20
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The final bonus track, “Packing It Up,” captures a moment of emotional release, where Gracie “packs up” the emotional baggage of her past relationships. There’s empowerment in the act of letting go, and the production builds gradually, echoing the process of healing and moving forward. The song has a gentle resilience to it as if Gracie is taking ownership of her emotions and reclaiming her space. It feels like a conclusion to the emotional arc of the album, wrapping up the themes of personal growth and liberation in a way that’s both introspective and freeing. The production is lush yet restrained, supporting Gracie’s voice, which carries a sense of closure and newfound strength.
Production: 7/10 Lyrics: 6/10 Overall Score: 13/20
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