Good Riddance

There has been a revolution happening in the world of pop music as of late. The powerful belting ballad’s that once dominated the scene are now in the background especially when it comes to my own personal preferences. Many of the influential pop singers are going for the deeply emotional, breathy and soft tones to their tracks. It’s as if a conversation is happening rather than a feeling of being talked at. I find such tracks feel a lot more personal and moving. While Abrams may not have been at the forefront of this movement, she is certainly championing this shift in focus. I stumbled across her EP a couple of years ago but it didn’t really hit me until I revisited it last year. I was struck by both the hard hitting lyrical riffs and the powerful emotions conveyed by the unique timbre of Gracie Abrams voice.

Abrams debut album is bedroom pop perfection. She owns up to past mistakes in a way that I think many of us would be afraid to do in private; she barres her soul to the world and in doing so has managed to create one of the best debut I have heard in many years.

Good Riddance

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Good Riddance /

When “Good Riddance” was released, I listened for many hours on repeat. All the elements I enjoyed about the EP were not only present but far more potent. This album is overflowing with vulnerability, heartbreak, self-reflection along with a very blatant and compelling acknowledgement of flaws. It takes extreme courage to put your inner self on display in the way that this album does. Due to this approach I found that each track to be very identifiable in one way or another. The lyrics describe everything so brilliantly it made it easy to think on situations of times of my life where I was experiencing something similar.

As I listen to an album, I will begin taking notes on my favorite tracks to expound upon later. I ended up taking notes on each and track and writing about all of them. I will include my thoughts on only a few tracks that had the greatest affect on me.

Full machine

I see this track as one that is weaving a tale of heartbreak. Working to get over a particularly bad breakup; you really wanted it work and thought it could be good but ultimately the relationship just didn’t work. Each verse begins with stating two things which aren’t compatible.

Verse 1

I’m a rollercoaster

You’re a dead-end street

Verse 2

I’m a shameless caller

You’re a full machine

Verse 3

I’m a forest fire

You’re the kerosene

This is what swayed my opinion on the songs story, though to be honest I still have a few other idea’s as to what the song could be about. Regardless of the specifics that I am likely getting wrong the message for me is the same.

I almost lost it

I'll heal eventually…

I’m codependent

But tryin hard not to be

It’s about the journey of self-discovery, all the ups and downs that lead you to where you are now. It is constant process which takes time but I think it means a great deal when you recognize where you are on that path.

Well, do you think we could talk?

'Cause I've been trying to tell you

How you're the one that I turn to (I turn to), mmm

But I should probably stop

Instead of forcin' a breakthrough

It's just that I'll always choose you

Not only is it spectacularly written but it is also so amazingly self-aware and genuine. Which describes both this track and the entire album.

Where do we go now?

This track has some truly magnificent lyrics; it would be exceedingly difficult for me to pick a favorite track from this album but this one is in the top.

24th street

Where you held me, grabbed my arm

What a mental fire alarm

'Cause a lot of that felt wrong

Like I miss you

But when I kissed you back, I lied

You don’t know how hard I tried

Had to fake the longest time

This whole track just hits like a freight train, it is so honest almost brutally so and I love it. There are certainly times where I would have appreciated this kind of honesty in my own relationships.

You look hopeful

Like we're supposed to work somehow

Can't you tell our light burned out?

Got a lot to cry about

There’s nothin' left here

All our best years are behind

What a brutal way to die

But you choose it every time

Perhaps it is just me but I find these lyrics to be presented in a way that makes them incredibly relatable. You can see and relate to both sides of this situation and think of times when you have been on either side of it. One person just doesn’t see the writing on the wall which appears quite clear to the other person. It’s rough being on either side of it and this track does an outstanding job of illustrating this.

The bridge of this track is jam packed. Speaking of conflicted emotions, regret, extreme sadness, and a desire for a second chance or even a complete do over.

We could meet down the line

After all of the time, and

Give an actual try

I can't promise you'll like it

I know I changed overnight…

’Cause now I’m half of myself here without you

You're the best in my life and I lost you…

It was one-sided, hate how I hurt you

If I could, I’d have changed every feelin'

Reservations were up to the ceilin'

Guess the space was the thing that I needed

But I miss you

As I listen to that I just think to myself “Wow what it would be like to be able to express my emotions in such a magnificent way. In short this track blows my mind.

I should hate you

This takes the honesty and self-awareness that I spoke about earlier to an entirely new level. There is real pain here and I can feel it. This song for me is perfect example of how emotionally affecting music can be when you know what you are doing. This may be Gracie Abrams debut album but you would never know it; it contains all the polish of someone experienced who has mastered their craft.

Last night, I spiralled alone in the kitchen

Making pretend that the furniture listened

Wasn't the best of my mental conditions, but I tried

Thinkin' of you without any forgiveness…

Pulled the knifе out my back, it was right where you left it

But you aimеd kinda perfect, I'll give you the credit

I should hate you, I feel stupid

Like I almost crashed my car

Drivin' home to talk about you

At my table in the dark

All I ever think about is

Where the hell you even are

And I swear to God I'd kill you

If I loved you less hard

Such excruciating inner-turmoil, feeling anger, love, sadness all simultaneously. While listening to this track I can feel the conflict; and the spiraling emotional state that exists. Each track in this album manages to take you to a different place, it is truly astounding.

The blue

You may have noticed there is a theme heartbreak, pain, and sadness to the track I have thus far spoken on part of it is because I will always be an emo kid but also that is the general feel of the album. This track is a bit different while not completely free of the previous elements mentioned there is a definite sense of happiness to it. It speaks about one of those moments in life where you meet someone, and it completely blindsides you in the best way possible.

I hope we've got a lot in common

I kinda think you should

Just drop it all and call me…

You came out of the blue like that

You came out of the blue like that

I never could've seen you comin'

I think you're everythin' I've wanted

When you are in a situation like this you may find yourself wondering if it’s real if its to good to be true. I feel that there is just a hint of that contained in the chorus but it is being pushed out by wonderful everything is and the fact that they are wholly and completely falling in love.

I wonder if you know

If you can tell I'm losin'

I'm going down without a fight

I don't know how you do it

You say we share a brain

Apologizing for it

But take it as a compliment

You make me really nervous

I especially enjoy the first half of this verse. To compare falling in love to losing a fight and giving that a positive context. You’ve dropped your guard, you’re just giving up as you simply have no defense against the emotions you are feeling.

Send me every song

That keeps you up from sleepin'

I bet I could recite 'em all

I won't forget the feelin'

Stayin' up with you

Despite the space between us

I've never felt this close to someone

What if you're my weakness?

If that last verse was about giving in or giving up than this one is about embracing those feelings that you were perhaps resisting previously. Once I am very much into the first part of this verse as well. I find it so interesting. I bet I could recite all the songs that keep you up at night. Is it referring to the previous verse which stated its like they share a brain? Or perhaps its meant to be more metaphorical; the fact that you feel such a strong instantaneous connection to someone that even the music which keeps you up at night must be the same. I am not sure, but it is fantastic writing even if I am entirely missing the point.

There is so much more I could talk about when it comes to this album as I mentioned it was quite difficult to narrow down which tracks I would speak about. If you have made it to this point and haven’t listened to this album in its entirety you should do so. If you have already listened to the album you should go listen to it again.