Music Review: Good Riddance by Gracie Abrams

Gracie Abrams, 25, made her musical debut in 2019 with the release of her song “Mean It.” Since then, she has grown to have over ten million monthly listeners on Spotify and is opening for Taylor Swift’s 2nd North American leg of The Eras Tour. Since her first single, she has released two EPs, titled minor and This Is What It Feels Like, released a debut album, titled Good Riddance and gone on two sold-out solo tours.

Good Riddance encapsulates her signature indie-pop, indie-rock, and melancholy sound through the twelve tracks. The album is Abrams documenting the emotional turbulence that comes with ending and coming to terms with a broken relationship. The first track on the album, “Best” is Abrams admitting to the listener that she was not the “best” in the relationship. She writes “I never was the best to you” as the opening line for the chorus- which repeats frequently throughout the song. Repetition of lyrics is one of Abrams’ signature styles, along with her whisper-like vocals, making listening to the song much more intimate for the listener.

Good Riddance displays Abrams’ lyrical evolution, representing her transition from a youthful point of view to more mature, sophisticated, and poetic lyricism. The producer of the album, Aaron Dessner of The National, (best known for working with Taylor Swift on her most recent four albums), met the singersongwriter in the spring of 2021. The pair hit it off, and Dessner went on to produce the entirety of her album. In their interview with Billboard, the two talk about their “sibling-like bond” and how it makes sharing vulnerable moments (that lead to deep songs) easier. In that same interview, they also where the album was recorded, Long Pond Studios, and the way the “place feels very inviting [for] sharing all your secrets and deepest, most private feelings without any hesitation.” Overall, Good Riddance has all the elements of a meaningful, complete album.