The Secret of Us

AlbumJun 21 / 202413 songs, 47m 40s91%
Singer-Songwriter Folk Pop Alt-Pop
Popular

Gracie Abrams may be fresh off her teenage years, but she’s old enough to know risk and reward belong together. Since she began releasing music in 2019, the singer-songwriter has homed in on emotional leaps of faith, her tremulous vocals expertly evoking the tear-splattered diary scribbles a great young love inspires. On her stripped-down new record *The Secret of Us*, Abrams takes stock of every crush and contradiction that led her to this chapter, reflecting the glow of formative past romances through soft prisms of pop, folk, and indie rock. Anyone who missed her coveted stint as an opener on the Eras Tour will welcome Taylor Swift’s feature on “us.,” a soaring centerpiece addressed to an older partner Abrams can’t be sure ever took her seriously. She isn’t afraid to face the anxiety around her own legitimacy, or face it alone—Swift is the only feature across these 13 tracks. But between the cathartic power chords of “Tough Love,” the twinkling balladry of “I Love You, I’m Sorry,” and the delicate simplicity of “Free Now,” the real secret to Abrams’ success shines through in her craftsmanship: She’s as serious as it gets.

3 / 10

3 / 10

On new album ‘The Secret of Us’, Gracie Abrams aims for pop catharsis and hints at dancefloor euphoria – read the NME review

On new album ‘The Secret of Us’, Gracie Abrams aims for pop catharsis and hints at dancefloor euphoria – read the NME review

Review: Gracie Abrams' 'The Secret of Us'

Review: Gracie Abrams' 'The Secret of Us'

7 / 10

When Gracie Abrams was around three to five years old, playing on her father’s electronic drum pad, she couldn’t have dreamed that about 20 years later,

7 / 10

When Gracie Abrams was around three to five years old, playing on her father’s electronic drum pad, she couldn’t have dreamed that about 20 years later,

‘The Secret of Us’ offers intimate glimpses into Abrams’s interior world, but musically it lacks dimension.

‘The Secret of Us’ offers intimate glimpses into Abrams’s interior world, but musically it lacks dimension.

9 / 10

The strong hooks on 'The Secret of Us' provide the missing third dimension to Gracie Abrams' songs and create a winning formula that could sustain more albums. 

9 / 10

The strong hooks on 'The Secret of Us' provide the missing third dimension to Gracie Abrams' songs and create a winning formula that could sustain more albums. 

7.5 / 10

The Secret Of Us by Gracie Abrams album review by Sam Franzini for Northern Transmissions. The artist's new LP is out today via Interscope

7.5 / 10

The Secret Of Us by Gracie Abrams album review by Sam Franzini for Northern Transmissions. The artist's new LP is out today via Interscope

75 %

75 %

Linda Thompson creates an album by proxy; Gracie Abrams proves why she’s adored by Taylor Swift; Lola Young is Britain’s gobby rising star

Linda Thompson creates an album by proxy; Gracie Abrams proves why she’s adored by Taylor Swift; Lola Young is Britain’s gobby rising star

The American songwriter delivers music that connects, with help from Aaron Dessner

The American songwriter delivers music that connects, with help from Aaron Dessner