As rising pop star Gracie Abrams sets off on her “Secret of Us” Tour, hitting Boston’s MGM Music Hall at Fenway on October 9, we’re going to dive back into what made the album so special in the first place.
Abrams’ album “The Secret of Us” was released in June of 2024, debuting as her first top ten album at number two on the Billboard Top 200. Classified as indie pop, Abrams’ sophomore album branches into some more upbeat styles but builds on her phenomenal lyricism and pleasing tones. For me, “The Secret of Us” is a rare, no-skip album.
Track one, “Felt Good About You,” opens up with an extremely vulnerable reflection on the type of relationship that so many experience: a hopeful feeling to start, only to turn into mistreatment and disappointment. The song begins with an upbeat synthesizer instrumental and maintains a continuous feel-good tone, but when listening to the lyrics closely, it is an extremely personal look into the outcome and realizations of a past relationship. Lines like “fell hard, then I lost your interest” reach into the idea of regretting giving your all to someone who didn’t care as much. At the end of the song, Abrams sings, “What you gave was what I wanted // ‘Til I realized I felt fuller without you.” While the song as a whole is very unguarded, the ending has a strong impact. It shows her shift from regret to understanding the necessity of realizing you don’t need someone who doesn’t give you what you are giving them. An underrated song on the album, I believe the soft melodies and straightforward, vulnerable lyrics allows many people to relate through a shared experience. I think Abrams did an excellent job at taking us through what that feeling truly encompasses.
“Risk” takes a turn in both tempo and mood, really throwing first-time listeners for a loop. One thing I love about this album is how truly honest Abrams stays throughout each line, and “Risk” really sticks true to that. Starting with a more upbeat tone on the acoustic guitar, Abrams begins in an almost staccato style (with sharp breaths and enunciated lyrics) which I think displays the pure excitement that this song brings to her as well as its listeners. “Risk” dives into the feeling of not being in control when falling for someone, but still wanting to take that risk to see what could happen. I think this song resonates with so many teenage girls, especially as they navigate through the scary, but exciting, relationships that the teenage years bring. Abrams’ choice to make this song so cheery is inspiring, proving that new relationships and love can be good despite so many of her tracks delving into the heartbreak that many have brought her. The tone is very personal, singing “God, I’m actually invested // Think I really want this // I’m not even kidding,” almost sounding like she’s discussing with a friend. “Risk” is one of my personal favorites, with it’s near comical theme but continuing the vulnerability of the album.
“Blowing Smoke” was the first song on Abrams’ album that really captivated me. Her angelic voice mixed with acoustic strumming sets a calm and inviting tone, but the song is solemn. The term “blowing smoke”, in this case at least, most likely refers to lying to someone in hopes of flattering them. Abrams delves into an ex and their new relationship, wondering “is she prettier than she was on the internet?” and “are your conversations cool? Like, are you even interested?” Abrams seems to feel that she knows this person better than anyone else could, and she knows that this person is settling for something more artificial than their more real relationship, because these other girls are just “blowing smoke.” It shows the jealousy that Abrams feels, but further the resentment that she is carrying because, similarly to “Felt Good About You”, the effort she gave that wasn’t received back. Another heartbreaking track that so many connect to, “Blowing Smoke” is definitely one of my top tracks, simply because you can viscerally feel the heartbreak that Abrams is experiencing.
One of her more popular songs on the album, “I Love You, I’m Sorry” serves as a sequel to the song “I miss you, I’m sorry” from her 2020 album “Minor”, which was also highly successful. What makes this song so special is the bridge – a breathless spit of honest truths. This song is also one where Abrams admits to having messed up and hurt someone, despite being hurt as well. Focusing in on the bridge, which I think encapsulates every point that Abrams tries to make, she sings, “I was a dick, it is what it is // A habit to kick, the age-old curse.” I interpret this as her claiming that she hurt this person to avoid getting hurt like she has been in the past – a common defense mechanism that so many can connect to. The reason she says “I love you, I’m sorry,” is because she knows it’s unfair to do that when she was the one who “told the truth, oh, but // You didn’t like it.” However, in the bridge, she says “You were the best, but // you were the worst,” which I think sums this song up as confusion and regret and anger, all in one. That’s what I love so much about this song, and specifically how strong Abrams’ voice sounds as she’s singing the lyrics. It introduces so much passion into the song and makes it an amazing song to sing along to in the car.
“us.” is such a unique song on the album, not only because it features popstar Taylor Swift, but because of the mystical vibe it creates. The verses maintain a very whispery tone with acoustic plucking to accompany the lyrics, while the chorus is more with percussion. Abrams’ and Swift’s voices blend seamlessly in the choruses while their switching of verses allows for a change in tone and perspective. “us.” is so powerful in such a quiet way, asking “Do you miss us?” and “Wonder if you regret // The secret of us,” also incorporating the album title into the song. To me, it seems like Abrams is exerting her power onto someone who hid her as a “secret”, similar to Swift’s song “illicit affairs.” The combination of Swift’s deeper tones with Abrams’ higher, softer pitch created such an anticipated and pleasing duo on such an amazing album.
In terms of meaning and significance, “Tough Love” is one of my favorites, as it shifts the album’s focus from relationships to friendships – a refreshing change halfway through the tracks. It also switches gears in terms of style, changing to a fast-paced, almost speaking voice in the verses, and less of the whispery tone found in the other songs. Abrams sings about how she has come to realize the importance of her friendships over romantic relationships that she knows she’ll get nothing from. “No chance I waste my // twenties on random men // Not one of them is cooler // than all my friends,” is easily one of the best and most honest lyrics in the song. Abrams dives into the serious topic of discovering what is really important in life, but in a sort of comical and lighthearted manner, making the song super enjoyable and upbeat.
“I Knew it, I Know You” is so complex and so heartbreaking that it would be easy to analyze every lyric of it. Instead I’m going to focus on the bridge which, similarly to all of Abrams’ bridges, is extremely gut-wrenching and beautiful. The line that truly sums up the meaning of this song is, “And all I ever did was // consider you // Until all I could do was // consider me.” Like “Let It Happen”, Abrams sings about this uncontrollable falling, only to turn into disappointment and pain. However, it’s extremely powerful. nI the outro, Abrams says, “You really thought you // would get what you wanted,” which shows that she was able to choose herself before fully losing herself to this relationship. The strength that Abrams portrays in this song is what I love so much about it, and the bridge is one that fosters so much anger and closure all in one.
To close off the album, Abrams chose “Close To You” as track 13, which was also the second leading single released on June 7, 2024. “Close To You” became extremely popular as an upbeat, feel-good song of the summer. Abrams depicts the feeling of dancing in a crowded room, seeing someone and creating a connection with them through just a second of eye contact. There’s something so captivating about this song, but what is so lovable about it is how easy it is to belt in the car, which is why it became a track on almost everyone’s summer playlist.
“The Secret of Us” is heartbreaking, groundbreaking and exhilarating all in one. Listening to this album is like living vicariously through Gracie Abrams, who uses the vulnerability of her songs to relate to her fans. The unique tone and style of Abrams’ music is what pulled so many in, but the consistency of her deep and emotional lyrics is what keeps listeners listening, and what has allowed Abrams to take this album on tour in 2024-2025.
