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The Secret of Us

The Secret of Us is the second studio album by the American singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams, released on June 21, 2024, via Interscope Records. It was mostly produced by Abrams and the American musician Aaron Dessner, who she had first collaborated with on her debut studio album, Good Riddance (2023). Abrams wrote most of the songs with either Dessner or her frequent co-writer Audrey Hobert. Musically, The Secret of Us has been labeled as a country pop, indie pop, and folk album.

Two singles—"Risk" and "Close to You"—preceded the album's release, the latter of which entered the top-50 region of the United States Billboard Hot 100 chart. American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, who is often cited by Abrams as an artistic influence, appears on the track "Us" as a featured guest. To promote The Secret of Us, Abrams is set to embark on a tour of the same name, commencing in September 2024. She also has performed at several events and television programs.

Background

On February 24, 2023, Gracie Abrams released her debut studio album Good Riddance. It received generally positive reviews from music critics, with praise towards its lyrical vulnerability and the artistic growth shown by Abrams from her previous works. Abrams received a nomination for Best New Artist at the 2024 Grammy Awards. From April to August 2023, she served as the opening act for select dates on the North American leg of the Eras Tour by Taylor Swift. Abrams said that opening on the Eras Tour "informed so much about how I went about writing this next album", and expressed her admiration for the artist. Abrams began working on The Secret of Us while touring with Swift.

In an interview with Vogue published on March 7, 2024, Abrams confirmed that she would be releasing new music later that year. On April 27, 2024, the singer began teasing new music on Instagram. Media publications interpreted that the images posted by Abrams would be part of an upcoming new music video. The Secret of Us was announced on April 29 via her social media accounts. Prior to the album's release, Abrams teased a possible deluxe edition to the American magazine Billboard.

Release and promotion

"Risk" was the first single to be released from The Secret of Us on May 1, 2024. It was co-written by Abrams and Audrey Hobert with production by frequent collaborator Aaron Dessner of the National who had also produced Good Riddance. The music video for "Risk" was directed by Hobert and features Abrams getting drunk on wine and stalking a crush. Abrams performed "Risk" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on May 8, 2024.

Following the album's announcement, Abrams revealed the track listing via social media on May 13, 2024. The track listing revealed that the album would include a collaboration with the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift on "Us", the fifth track. On June 3, 2024, Abrams announced that she will embarking on her fourth headlining concert tour, the Secret of Us Tour. It will contain 23 shows, beginning on September 5 and ending on October 10. American singer-songwriter Role Model will serve as an opening act.

On June 4, 2024, Abrams announced the second single from the album would be "Close to You", released on June 7. The song was originally released as a 20 second snippet 7 years prior. She revealed it was not initially supposed to be on the album, but revisited the song due to how much her fans cared about it. Abrams performed the single alongside "Let It Happen" on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on June 20.

On June 23, 2024, during the third night of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour at Wembley Stadium in London, Abrams and Swift performed "Us" live for the first time as a surprise song. The performance, part of the show's acoustic set, featured Abrams on piano and Swift on guitar.

Music and lyrics

The Secret of Us marks a significant evolution in Gracie Abrams' musical journey, showcasing a blend of intimate lyricism and expansive production. The album's production involves Abrams, Aaron Dessner, and Audrey Hobert, with contributions from Taylor Swift and Jack Antonoff, reflecting a mature and multifaceted soundscape. According to Elise Ryan from the Associated Press, the album's lead single "Risk" is characterized by its "frenetic and melancholic" atmosphere, with Abrams' vocals growing more intense as the production thickens, setting the tone for the album's exploration of love and emotional risk.

Abrams' songwriting on The Secret of Us delves into real-time narratives of relationships and personal growth, contrasting with the retrospective nature of her previous work. Hannah Mylrea from NME describes the album as bringing a "new intimacy", where Abrams is "crying on the dancefloor and sharing her inner thoughts with her closest pals in the smoking area". Songs like "Blowing Smoke" and "Let It Happen" showcase her transition from introspective ballads to more dynamic and energetic compositions. Ryan notes that "Blowing Smoke" is particularly biting in its critiques, while "Let It Happen" evolves from whispered introspection to euphoric declarations of self-love.

Musically, the album draws comparisons to Taylor Swift's Folklore (2020) and Evermore (2020), as well as Phoebe Bridgers' work, incorporating folk-pop elements with a modern twist. Mylrea also draws parallels to Lorde's Melodrama (2017), noting that tracks like "Normal Thing" and "Close to You" feature subdued synths and percolating beats, hinting at dancefloor euphoria without fully committing to it. The album's production often mimics the visceral emotions of the lyrics, creating a cohesive sonic narrative.

A standout feature of the album is the duet with Taylor Swift on "Us", where their voices weave together over dreamy acoustic production. This collaboration is seen as a pivotal moment on the album, enhancing its emotional depth and broad appeal.

Critics have highlighted several other tracks on the album for their thematic depth and musicality. "Tough Love" encompasses a key point of the album in its immortalization of Abrams' female friendships and how they pull you through. "Free Now" explores the relief that comes with the end of a waning relationship, marked by Abrams' lyrical introspection and sonic build-up. "I Love You, I’m Sorry" features a rawer vocal delivery, reflecting the emotional intensity of the lyrics.

Critical reception

Upon release, The Secret of Us received positive reviews from music critics. According to the review aggregator Metacritic, The Secret of Us received "generally favorable reviews" based on a weighted average score of 79 out of 100 from five critic scores.

Dana Poland of Slant Magazine described the album as a "truly great pop album" and stated that it "offers glimpses into the singer's interior world", although it "lacks dimension". NME's Hannah Mylrea said that Abrams "embraces her growing pains and celebrates enduring the difficult moments" and ended her review by saying that she "[has] never sounded better". The staff of Clash found the album "a unique sound somewhere between Phoebe Bridgers and Taylor Swift" and wrote that "the experience of touring, which she didn't have at the release of her debut, is clearly heard in her bolder and more open delivery". The Daily Telegraph's Neil McCormick said that the lyrics are "rooted in the confessional, as she takes on heartbreak, growing pains and online trolls", while comparing them to the works of Swift and American singers Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo. Neive McCarthy wrote for Dork that The Secret of Us showcases "a refreshingly new side" to Abrams, who is "at her strongest".