Gracie Abrams is the new it-girl in the pop genre of music. Joining the ranks of Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift, her music is captivating audiences, particularly teenage girls. She first began releasing music a mere 5 years ago, in 2019, and since then has grown to be one of the most popular artists, especially for Gen-Z. With over 37 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and a world tour in process, she is breaking records with every step she takes.

Her most recent release, The Secret of Us, is an album with incredible lyricism, vocals, and compelling storytelling. Abrams describes her album on Spotify as embodying, “all the breathless urgency of spilling your heart out to your closest friend at the end of a whirlwind night.” In addition to the first release of this album (June 21, 2024), on October 18th, she released The Secret of Us (Deluxe), an edition that includes 4 new songs, and 3 live recordings of already released songs, including a much-discussed note change in her hit song I Love You, I’m Sorry.

Brian Zamek, a former band teacher and non-pop music listener said, “I think teenage girls would like her music because it has that poppy- upbeat vibe to it. It’s vocally focused, focused on the voice. I think it would be appealing to teenage girls. It’s not my kind of music, but it’s ok. The guitar is my favorite part because I like the rhythms.”

As a teenage girl myself, I find her music incredibly engaging and relatable. This is my ranking and review of all of the songs on The Secret of Us (Deluxe).

1. That’s So True 

Coming in at number 1, That’s So True, has taken the online world by storm since the release of the deluxe version of the album. With the TikTok sound going viral, specifically for transition videos, I can honestly say that I understand the hype. The sound is very signature to Gracie, with guitar, gut-wrenching lyrics, and a fast bridge. Yet this song feels new and fresh in a good way. My favorite part is the part that went viral on TikTok, the bridge which is super fast and catchy.

2. I Love You, I’m Sorry (Live From Vevo) 

This song contains the aforementioned note change from the original version of the song. The note change is so significant because of how well known the song is. Out of all of the songs on the album, this one is the most well-known, therefore fans and non-fans alike know the tune. A note change or variation makes it more interesting, surprises audiences and makes a statement. In this song, the note is higher than in the original and the resulting sound is a cry-like wail which is incredibly effective in conveying the message of unapologetic grief. It is even more symbolic given that Gracie has just mentioned a horn in the lyrics and is using her voice to sound like that horn.

3. Free Now + Free Now (Live From Vevo) 

This song is one of my favorites because of the teenage angst behind it. The middle section especially feels so convoluted in the best way possible. The lyrics keep conflicting with each other, almost as if they are all separate, but connected by the chaos. For example, Gracie sings, “It was harsh cause I lost what I wanted, I was brave when I kissed you in London, we’re collateral here man we got hit, hope you find somewhere safe for your baggage.” I don’t notice a big difference between the live and studio recorded versions, therefore they are ranked together.

4. Blowing Smoke 

This song is the ultimate screw you to an ex-partner. It captures all of the anger felt when seeing an old lover with someone new, and conveys this in an incredibly sassy way. My favorite line from the song is, “And you look stupid going out. If she’s got a pulse she meets your standards now.”

5. Us [feat. Taylor Swift]

This song combines the songwriting styles of both Taylor Swift and Gracie Abrams in a perfectly blended way that emphasizes their similarities and differences perfectly. They are both known as the queens of writing bridges (the section of the song between the verse and chorus) and Us did not disappoint. Their expert lyricism can be seen in lines such as, “False prophets and profits, they makin’ the margins, of poetry sonnets.” They use their two distinct voices purposefully, to layer sound and lyrics over one another. Although it is a song about a failed relationship with a man, the use of two female voices to tell the story shows solidarity and friendship in the face of heartbreak.

6. Risk 

Risk is one of the songs that was released early as a single, before the full album. It isn’t my favorite, but it captures all of the feelings of having a new relationship, and the risks that come with that.

7. Close to You 

I think of this song as the perfect way to explain what having a hallway crush is like. Someone you admire from afar, and want to get to know, but you never will. The song is catchy and fits the album theme perfectly.

8. Let It Happen 

My favorite line from this song is, “Don’t love you yet, but probably will.” This song is very similar to Risk as it explains the feelings behind having a new crush or relationship and the anxiety that comes with that. However, along with the anxiety, the song has a go-with-the-flow feeling that is much needed in an album full of fast-paced wordy songs.

9. Tough Love 

This song provides much needed contrast as it talks less about Gracie and more about another girl. I like it. I don’t love it. My favorite line is, “That’s just tough love, and you’re lucky to receive it.”

10. I Knew It, I Knew You + I Knew It, I Know You (Live from Vevo) 

While this is the middle on my list, I think this song is very underrated. The climax of the song is underappreciated and the feeling of nostalgia and loss throughout the song is raw and real. It is only so far down on the list because I find the ending too repetitive and unenjoyable.

11. Good Luck Charlie 

Another song that supplies contrast, this song is very slow, probably the slowest on the album. The song refers to Audrey, Gracie Abram’s well known best friend. I interpret the song as a tribute to their friendship and love for each other. Its softness shows the tender side of Gracie, that is seen in some of her older songs, but not so much on this album.

12. I Love You, I’m Sorry 

This song is an epic response to her song I Miss You, I’m Sorry. While the two songs aren’t necessarily connected in meaning or melody, many listeners believe they show the maturation of Gracie as an artist and person. While I Miss You, I’m Sorry was soft and hesitant,  I Love You, I’m Sorry is much more unapologetic and concrete. Additionally, as usual, the bride of this song is incredible and has become a very popular sound on TikTok. Ashley Miles, a junior at Harrison High School said “I listen to that one song of hers that went viral, I Love You, I’m Sorry. She’s great. I love that song.”

13. Felt Good About You 

This song is a solid opener for the album. The lyrics and theme perfectly reflect the overall theme of the album, that the only constant factor of love is the complication. In this song, Gracie says, “I felt good about you, till I didn’t.” This basically means that she was in love until she wasn’t. The album that comes after this song tells the story of how and why she fell out of love.

14. Cool 

The feel is incredibly eclectic, and the song is quite different from the rest of the album. I like that about it, but it also almost feels like it doesn’t fit the theme. The background music is very reminiscent of Clean by Taylor Swift, which makes sense as Taylor is one of Gracie’s close friends and musical inspirations.

15. Gave You, I Gave You I

I don’t know if it is because the title feels so similar to I Knew It, I Knew You, but this song feels like a less good version of that song. Not to say that I hate it, because it’s good, but definitely nothing special.

16. I Told You Things 

This is a song I have to be listening to in order to remember what it sounds like. I’m repeating myself a lot, but the bridge of this song is my favorite part as it reminds me of I Love You, I’m Sorry but less angry and more soft.

17. Normal Thing 

I find this one a bit weird. Gracie talks about being in love with movie stars, but then almost takes it one step further to pretending that she has relationships with them. Similar to Cool, it feels like it doesn’t fit the theme of the album, and I just don’t quite get what she is trying to convey to her audience. However, her voice sounds gorgeous in this song and the melody is pleasant.

18. Packing It Up 

This song feels like a less good version of I Told You Things. It just feels unnecessary and the theme is very repetitive as it parrots Felt Good About You. As always, Gracie sounds great and the song is enjoyable, just nothing special for me.