Gracie Abrams might be the most relatable singer in the music industry right now. Her heartfelt lyrical choices, unique vocals, and her current “The Secret of Us” tour have caught the eyes and ears of millions of fans around the world. Abrams’ 35.9 million monthly listeners on Spotify speak for her popularity.
A rapid trajectory of fame comes with some reservations, though.
Many fans may not be aware that Abrams’ dad happens to be J.J. Abrams, known for his work on famous blockbuster movies such as Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Some have labeled Abrams as an “industry plant” or “nepo baby” because of her family background, devaluing her talent as an artist.
Our plan is to prove why Abrams deserves to be in the headlines and why her songs should be in your everyday playlist. She’s not an industry plant—she’s a talented artist who brings value to the music industry.
Many may consider high-quality song lyrics as a bare minimum in music, but Abrams’ song lyrics speak to everyone.
Many of today’s artists are afraid of being straightforward in their lyrics and often find themselves using complex metaphors and similes to express surface level heartbreaks and situations. They do so to sound more sophisticated in their lyrical choices.
Abrams understands that people don’t always want to recite and break down poetic references in lyrics. Most listeners want direct understanding and relation because, to an average listener, the focal point of the song is the rhythm, harmony, and instrumentals.
For example, in Abrams’ song “Close To You,” she opens up about the concept of being so head over heels for someone who doesn’t even look in her direction.
“I burn for you / And you don’t even know my name,” Abrams sings. “If you asked me to / I’d give up everything.”
It’s as if these lyrics could be said to a friend in a simple vent session. Abrams phrased it in a way that is vulnerable yet relatable, so much that when you find yourself screaming it in the car you can instantly connect it to a moment in your life, whether that moment has to do with love or not.
In “That’s So True,” one of Abrams’ newer songs, she contemplates getting over someone but also imagining them with their next person.
“What’d she do to get you off? / Taking down her hair like, oh, my God,” Abrams sings. “But I think I like her, she’s so fun / Wait, I think I hate her, I’m not that evolved.”
Many fans around the world have deeply resonated with these lyrics because they directly align with battles people have had with themselves in their head or with someone else about the struggles of moving on.
Abrams excels in her attempt to outline an insecure line of reasoning in her lyrics that listeners immediately find themselves resonating with.
Listeners have also found themselves appreciating Abrams’ signature style. Everytime you see her on your feed there is a solid chance she has a guitar in her hand.
This signature visual has become a staple in her artistry, which explains her deep connection to the music she creates. The many layers of guitar tracks are all exquisitely performed by her, as proven when she performs live in concert.
Abrams has a raw and tender voice that carries an emotional weight which resonates in all of her notes. At some moments, her vocals can be extremely fragile and delicate, and in the next they can be unexpectedly powerful. Abrams’ ability to provide songs that blend softness with strength give them an energy unique to only her.
Abrams’ music is often stripped down to just an acoustic guitar or a subtle piano, which allows for her vocals to remain at the forefront of the song. The delicate textures of her songs’ sounds allow for an intimacy that invites listeners to personally connect with more emotional depth.
While Gracie’s studio tracks are carefully and perfectly crafted with rich production, her live performances strip everything down to the core of her talent and reach the emotion that Abrams is known for.
Abrams’ stage performances and concerts show her ability to captivate listeners in a live setting, which is a testament to her musicality. Without all the backing tracks, the strength of the drums, or the background vocals, Abrams shows audiences only the beauty of her natural talent.
An Abrams concert is appreciated so much to the point where fans beg her endlessly to release the live recordings on Spotify. Abrams did just that when she released live versions of three of her songs on The Secret of Us (Deluxe).
When Abrams performs live, she tends to change up the vocals in her songs, or harmonize with the original track, and beautifully differs the way the song is sung. To fans around the world, a natural, unique, and positively gut-wrenching version of one of her songs is cherished.
Abrams has earned her spot in the music industry through her relatable lyricism, iconic instrumentals, and her live performances. She may be the daughter of a famous filmmaker, but she’s made a name for herself on her own that continues to amaze her fans.
