On the surface, Good Riddance by Gracie Abrams presents as an album with common theme topics within alternative pop: regret, longing, and love. However, a deeper dive into the raw and almost sardonic lyrics, which take humble inspiration from that of Taylor Swift’s songwriting techniques, opens up a door of exactly what Abrams sought to achieve: to make you feel. “I know it won’t work” is the perfect soft rock heartbreak anthem, stocked with subtle electric guitars, but a personalized, synth-like touch from Abram’s collaborator, Aaron Dessner. Songs like “Full machine” and “I should hate you” maintain a balance between full production and quality lyricism but manage to develop a unique story telling aspect not commonly seen in artists: humility. The 5 minute, penultimate stretch of “The blue” sees Abrams repeating a charming chorus as a rite of passage: “You came out of the blue like that/I never could’ve seen you coming/I think you’re everything I wanted.” However, certain qualities highlight that the 23 year old artist is still new to the game. In “Will you cry?” the transitions between verses and choruses feel a little awkward, and ‘Where do we go now?” builds a beat dramatically but fails to reach a climax. The 53-minute record ends with “Right now”, in which Abrams recognizes a new road ahead, one where life doesn’t require pensive sadness. If you’re going to live by anything this singer presents in her work, take the closing lines of this debut effort: “Think I’m more alive somehow/I feel like myself right now.”

Grade: B+

Photo Credits: Rolling Stone

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