Tag Archives: indie pop

Album Review: Good Riddance by Gracie Abrams

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Good Riddance is singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams’ debut album, released on February 24, 2023; and written and produced by Abrams and Aaron Dessner. The album is 12 songs, and on June 16 Abrams released a deluxe edition of the album, which features 4 bonus tracks. Good Riddance is an album unlike most I have personally listened to; and Abrams’ raw, brutally honest songwriting shines through on this album as she reflects on past relationships with others and herself.

Further, many of my favorite songs and albums are written from the perspective of a person who has been the victim of a situation or relationship, the “good guy.” On the other hand, the songs on Good Riddance are written from the other perspective—from the person who has made the mistakes. I really love this fresh perspective, as it was really interesting to hear the raw and honest thoughts of someone who has done someone else wrong through the art of music. Following are a summary of some tracks on Good Riddance:

Track 1: “Best” – a song in which the narrator admits that they were not the best partner in their past relationship. Through her stinging lyrics, Abrams takes accountability for the mistakes she made and the faults she had throughout the relationship.

Track 2: “I know it won’t work” – a song about going through a tough time with someone and wanting to be with them again despite knowing that it won’t work. Though the narrator and the aforementioned person have cut ties, they still linger in each other’s minds, “never really leaving.”

Track 5: “I should hate you” – a song about being unable to hate someone despite how deeply they have hurt you. Throughout the song, the beautiful lyrics echo the way the narrator loves someone so much that they cannot hate them and would even go back to them after all the hurt.

Track 11: “The blue” – the only love song on Good Riddance, where Abrams sings about the inescapable connection between her and someone she has fallen in love with. In the song, she sings that they “came out of the blue” unexpectedly, and she couldn’t help but fall for them.

All in all, Good Riddance was an honest, emotionally intense, and beautifully written album. I absolutely loved it and would recommend it if you already love Gracie Abram’s music or are looking to try something new.

Happy listening!

-Lam T.

Album Review: Invitation to Her’s

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One of my favorite relics from nostalgic summers is the music I discovered as the weeks passed. From windy summer nights to morning heatwaves, my fondest memories from those three-month vacations are the playlists I used to make. As I take a trip down memory lane, the first album that reminds me of those “good old days” is Invitation to Her’s.

Album Cover Art for Invitation to Her’s by Her’s.

Indie pop band Her’s released their second album, Invitation to Her’s, in 2018. A year after its release, I came across this project and quickly fell for the duo’s witty lyrics and catchy soundscapes. More specifically, I was captivated by the duo’s ability to balance each track on this album. From groovy instrumentals to clever bridges, Her’s contrasted their low and punchy vocals with soft falsetto melodies. In just a few moments, some of the best songs on this album would feel like a completely different experience.

“Harvey” and “Love on the Line (Call Now)” were by far my favorite tracks on the album, most likely by nostalgic bias. The groovy instrumentals and catchy lyrics immediately kept me hooked onto their music, and their riffs would replay in my head for days on end. Other songs, such as “She Needs Him,” transitioned from a lively song to a dreamy, slow-paced instrumental solo. Her’s knew when and how to balance their tracks; some songs had their moxie settle until the end, and others turned to a different tune.

Although some songs like “Breathing Easy” and “Under Wraps” were not as upbeat as the other tracks on this album, their soft and lounge-inspired soundscapes were just as compelling. Each song on Invitation to Her’s was unique in its own way, which is why there is at least one song that will impress you. For this reason, this album has been my go-to recommendation for years, and I find myself coming back to those blazing summers from the moment their drums kick in. Whether we’re stuck in another freezing winter or blossoming into a new spring, Invitation to Her’s is an album for every season and every music fan. Give this album a try; you won’t regret it!