I first found out about Gracie Abrams when I saw Taylor Swift praising Gracie’s single “Rockland” on Instagram. Obviously, if Taylor is recommending a song, you know I’ll be listening to it.
Of course, the song did not disappoint. I took it upon myself to listen to both of Gracie’s EPs Minor and This is What it Feels Like and she swiftly became one of my most listened-to artists. Honestly, she just gets me (after all, we are both Virgos) and I always find it difficult to find artists who write songs I truly relate to and feel understood by. Gracie Abrams has gone from performing at small venues to opening for Olivia Rodrigo’s Sour Tour, opening for Taylor Swift in her Eras Tour to being nominated for a Grammy. My hidden gem has become not so hidden after all as her Spotify listeners skyrocket to 8 million. What is just so brilliant about this bow-wearing girl? Allow me.
Full disclosure, she is a nepotism baby. Her dad, J.J. Abrams, is widely known for his work on the drama series Lost, Star Trek, and the recent Star Wars films. This easily granted her a key into the entertainment industry. Gracie often posted videos of her singing songs she wrote in her bedroom on Instagram or uploaded the tracks to Soundcloud. Gracie always had a passion for singing, creating songs, and sharing them. In one Instagram post she even showcased a CD she made for a school project of a faux-album. Little did she know, it would soon become reality.
Her first official single “Mean It” under Interscope Records was released in 2019 and marked the official beginning of her official music career. The following year, Gracie released her first EP Minor featuring her well-known singles “I miss you, I’m sorry” and “21” (which she now has a stadium singing along with her. I am in awe). This is What it Feels Like began Gracie’s relationship with producer Aaron Dessner who is also known for working with Taylor Swift. He helped her craft the wonderful track “Rockland”, describing feelings of regret and self-deprecation after the end of a relationship. After the growing fame following these two EPs and opening for Olivia Rodrigo, Gracie released her debut album Good Riddance and announced her third tour, but her first-ever album tour (which I had the pleasure of attending). When she’s not getting dinner with Taylor Swift in New York, she’s getting nominated for the 66th annual Grammy Awards for Best New Artist. Gracie Abrams is undoubtedly a rising force in the music industry.
Gracie Abrams has achieved much of her fame due to her lyrics and immersive storytelling. Gracie is no stranger to creating a gut-wrenching ballad. Her most well-known ballad “I miss you, I’m sorry” (which is now certified gold) elaborates upon conflicting feelings following a breakup and a general feeling of attempting to fix something that you know, deep down, can never be fixed. In “21” Gracie describes that terrible feeling of realizing someone who was once your everything will not stop everything just because you’re no longer in their life. Gracie is the queen of creating catchy melancholia and I highly encourage you to open up Spotify and listen to her discography from start to finish from bedroom pop to Jimmy Kimmel to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.