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 .