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Speaker
Welcome back to Rate the Record, our podcast where we tear down, pick apart, and celebrate music, one track at a time. I'm Whitney. And I'm Emily. Every other week, we dive into a featured album, rating each individual song on a scale of 1 to 10 before giving our final verdict on the entire record. Will today's record earn a spot in the Hall of Fame or fall completely flat? Stick around to find out. So grab your headphones, hit play, and get ready, because it's time to Rate the Record!
Speaker
Today we'll be reviewing Good Riddance by Gracie Abrams. This album got her nominated for the Best New Artist award at the Grammys. We chose Good Riddance because it is one of Emily's favorites just like how the last episode we reviewed was one of mine. There are a total of 16 songs on this album, but we'll just be listening to 11, so let's get into it.
Speaker
Okay, so for our first song we have "Best." I did not know how sad this album was gonna be. I wasn't really prepared for it, and I didn't think one of your favorite albums would be so depressing.
Speaker
I mean, most of Gracie Abrams albums are super sad. She only has like five or six happy songs. I just don't really listen to Gracie Abrams. And so I've never really paid attention, I guess. I kind of liked it. It was okay. But she just sounded like disappointed in herself the whole time. And that made me kind of disappointed. It was just like sad. And it wasn't giving me really good vibes.
Speaker
I only really like listening to sad songs when I'm sad, and I wasn't very sad when I was listening to this, so I think it just brought me down. ♪
Speaker
But this song is one of my favorites because it captures the guilt of not treating someone right. And Gracie actually said she regrets writing this song, which I thought was really surprising. She does? Yeah. Where? She said it in an interview, I'm pretty sure. What's your source? Okay. In an interview. But I love the bridge of this song. It's, I think, one of her strongest bridges of all time. I thought it was okay. Yeah.
Speaker
I just don't think it's for me. I think this whole album just isn't really for me. Sorry if I'm kind of a Debbie Downer. That's okay. But I thought Best was such a strong start to an album like this. And I would rate it a 10 out of 10. I rated this a 6 out of 10. Meh. Okay, for our next... Just like... Meh. Like, meh from the Emoji movie. Do you know what I'm talking about? Yeah, yeah, yeah. My illusion? Meh.
Speaker
Meh. Okay, for our next song, we have I Know It Won't Work. I thought it was really interesting how it continued with the guilt theme and how she was self-doubting herself all the time. Yeah. And I really, really like the chorus, and I really like her lyrics because it shows how she recognizes the reality of the situation, but she's still stuck on it. Well, the situation is that she had a breakup. Yeah. That's basically what this album is based around, right? Yeah. She had a breakup. She was like...
Speaker
Trying to get them to move on so that she would be able to move on faster. In this song, that's basically what the whole premise is. Yeah, and she also acknowledges that it's her fault, but she just can't get over it. Yeah. But my biggest issue with this song was that I feel like the music didn't match with the lyrics. And it was like...
Speaker
clashing in my ears. I don't know. It just didn't sound good to me. I love how this song had a beat to it because some of her other songs didn't really. Yeah, I mean, it was pretty. Yeah, there was a beat, but it didn't match with the sad lyrics. I do think it could be a little less repetitive. I gave this a 7 out of 10. I mean, I like it, but I just don't like it. I
Speaker
Wow, descriptive. I know, I'm sorry. I would give it a 9.5 out of 10, but I think I'm being a little generous. I think you are too. Okay, and we're skipping full machine and we're going straight to where do we go now? Where do we go now? Exactly. Okay, so in this song she was basically just calling him a liar. Previously she admitted to being in the wrong, so I don't really know what's going on in this relationship, but...
Speaker
That's why she wrote an album about it. It's very general. I like her singing, like, her tone of voice in this one a lot more. Where do we go now? It's just, like, this could be a hit on the radio. I feel like this isn't that popular, but I feel like it should be. Yeah. When I first listened to this song, like, a few years back, I thought it was way too repetitive, but now I realize it's intentional because it builds on, like, the pointlessness and how, like, the relationship isn't really going anywhere.
Speaker
Yeah, yeah, I got that point. I gave this song an 8.5 out of 10. I don't usually use decimals. I like to keep whole numbers, but 8.5 out of 10. It was just like, it was nice and it was better than the previous songs. So I think that's why I boosted it up a little. I also gave it an 8.5 out of 10 because I think the bridge is one of her best bridges, but everything else was just kind of
Speaker
mid meh okay our next song is I should hate you and I didn't really like the first verse very much it was just like okay I and then at this point in the album I was questioning if these were all about the same guy and this was all about the same breakup I didn't really connect to that yet because I thought because like some of her lyrics were kind of contradicting and so I thought it was like
Speaker
maybe these were different guys or like maybe she's just writing about breakups in general instead of just like with
Speaker
with this one guy but I was just a little confused. I thought the chorus was pretty good though. I agree. I also thought the first verse was kind of boring but I think the lyrics were very complex and deep but the bridge was also one of my favorites and I love how like it shows how passionate her love was and I really wanted to point out the lyric and I swear to god I'd kill
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you if I loved you if I loved you less hard but again it was super repetitive. Love it. It's one of my favorites. Yeah I mean I
Speaker
I feel like this song was giving like something I heard in elementary school while my mom was playing the radio. Like, what was it? It reminded me of the song like, in the middle, and then sunflower. I don't know the names of songs very well, but I was like, I was kind of mixing all those together. Interesting. So overall, I would rate it a 9 out of 10. I gave it a 6.5 out of 10, even though it was kind of nostalgic. It
Speaker
It was just boring. Okay, for our next song, we reviewed Amelie. I thought this was a really interesting song because it's kind of like she's telling a story to us. Essentially, this song is talking about a girl she only met once that had a really lasting impact on her, which also kind of relates to our old podcast called The Impact. Shut up. Throwback. It's still on. I think you can still find it on all the same platforms. Yeah, shout out The Impact.
Speaker
That was not for us, and that's okay, because we have Rate the Record now, and that's even better. You can notice that we have the same color schemes, though. Yeah. We like pink and purple. We do. Yep. Okay. But I think this is one of her saddest songs, and it is a little repetitive, but I really like the lyric change in the last line from I Don't Know to Tell Me No. I noticed that, too. Oh, I would like to say that...
Speaker
When I first saw that this album had a song named Amelie on it, it immediately reminded me of the movie Amelie.
Speaker
And I watched that with my mom for like a French project thing because I was supposed to like watch a movie that was set in France or in French. And so I watched Amelie and it was pretty good, but it was a little confusing sometimes. And you have to put subtitles on because I'm not a very good listener in French. The movie was pretty good, but this song was like a 7 out of 10 for me. It really wasn't that bad. I agree. I agree.
Speaker
I would rate it a 7 out of 10, but I definitely like this song the least. So for our next song, we have Difficult. And I definitely thought this song sounded better than some of the other ones. But I wish she had more energy when she was singing because I feel like it would sound so much better if she was a little more pumped up. And that could like actually be a hit on the radio. I don't know. I feel like she has the same tone of voice for almost the entire album. It's just kind of this like somber, sad tone.
Speaker
Is it really her entire vibe? Yeah, I feel like if you listen to her other albums. She's just a sad girl. She is. It's like sad pop. Okay, but she doesn't really make good sad music. Oh. Well, okay. I think you should listen to Adrienne Lunker. If you like sad music, Adrienne Lunker is really good.
Speaker
She's had some hits that have been on TikTok, I believe. Okay, off topic. Anyways, I very much disagree. This is one of my favorite songs
of all time. I think she perfectly conveys what spiraling feels like. It also relates to Unsteady, another song that we're going to review.
Speaker
But I also noticed that she mentioned blue in it, which is a reoccurring word throughout the album. And I think it's just like it relates to the blue, which is another song that we'll review later on. But I also like that this song also had a beat to it, which... Puts and cats and... Exactly. Yes. Like that. It sounded just like that.
Speaker
So I disagree. I think it was a 10 out of 10. I have no notes. It's perfect. Well, I'm glad that you like it. And I do agree. The chorus was like my favorite so far of this album. I was a little confused because in the lyrics she was saying like her boyfriend or her ex-boyfriend was like everything to her and she was really sad that they broke up. But then she was the one that left him. And so like if he meant so much to you, why would you leave him?
Speaker
I think that's why she also wrote best. She was like blaming herself because she was like spiraling. I guess so. Yeah. I rated this one an 8 out of 10. I thought it was pretty okay. Like I didn't mind it. I don't know. Not very many notes. Interesting. Our next song is This Is What The Drugs Are For. And...
Speaker
I think it's really funny and ironic how the song is so upbeat for something so sad. Yeah. Which I feel like symbolizes the high she gets, which like represents her avoidant self and how she is kind of ignoring her sadness by adding a beat to the song. I mean, I guess, but I wouldn't really say that this song is upbeat because just like we were talking, she's very sad. Okay, upbeat for her songs.
Speaker
upbeat for her but it was not very upbeat. This is not something you would play to get hyped up. Yes, I agree. I also love how this song also mentions Bloom. I also love the switch at the end saying how all her distractions don't work and all she does is think about him. Yeah, yeah, I liked that part. It was pretty good. I rated this song a 6 out of 10 because
Speaker
because I felt like some of the lyrics were pretty repetitive. She didn't really change the lyrics and the verses and stuff. I feel like the repetition in this album also reflects how she's always going back and replaying the situation in her head and she's kind of like beating the dead horse. Emily, you're analyzing this like it's an essay. Like this is a book report. No, this is an essay to me. This is not an essay. This is as deep as an essay. This is not English class. This is my favorite elective for a reason. I don't have to do English. You should.
Speaker
But I really want to point out this lyric where she says, "Look, now I'm alone again." And I think that really follows the theme of the album. I get that. I liked it. I mean, it was just fine.
Speaker
And I have one more point. Oh, wow. Okay. I have one more point. I think this song overall is just like, it's really giving the withdrawals she's having from her breakup.
Like withdrawals from drugs. Like this is what the drugs are for. Exactly. Mind blown. So I really like this song, but I would rate it a 9.5 out of 10. Okay. Yeah. Yeah, not bad. I mean, we definitely have a very different...
Speaker
Very. Rating. Yeah. But I also noticed that like at this point in the album that all of her songs end the exact same where it's just like a fade out and then there's just like a little like. Yeah. That's kind of it. And that's just kind of boring. Like I wish there was more to it or like a sound effect kind of like.
Speaker
led out of it. I don't know. It was just like mid. Yeah, I agree. Unlike the previous album we reviewed, each song in that album kind of transitioned into the next. But this these songs are very like stand alone and very individual. Our next song is Fault Line. When I was listening to this song, it was just like a whole lot of metaphors.
Speaker
All over again. A whole lot of metaphors. And she compared her ex-boyfriend to, like, a drug that she takes, which also references the previous song, This Is What the Drugs Are For. I also noticed that. Yeah, and she believes that she's just going to get over it and break through, which I kind of liked, as if she's, like, going to rehab. My favorite part of this song was when she said that, like, she wouldn't date him if she met him now. Mm-hmm.
Speaker
because of how her perspective has changed and I liked that a lot but I rated this song just like a 7 out of 10. It was just okay. What about you? What's your opinion? I thought it was pretty good. It's definitely not my favorite but it's not as repetitive but I do agree with you when you say she needs to make up her mind but I feel like she's using these lyrics to like kind of give us a sense of whiplash but
Speaker
But personally, I'm a very indecisive person, so I kind of agree with her. Okay, Emily. But there is one lyric that I am just obsessed with, and it's, and all my imaginary friends are scared of you. I've gone and cried to them in our bedroom, and it's so good.
Speaker
And I feel like it has so many layers to it and it's so deep. But what was your rating for this? I rated it a 7.5 out of 10, but I might change my rating to an 8. Okay, yeah, that's fair. Our next song is The Blue, which we've been talking about. The blue metaphor, the blue motif. Woohoo! This song is...
Speaker
one of my favorites of all time i feel like i just keep saying it but i love this album if this is like one of your favorite albums of all time what is your number one favorite song not in this album just in general what is your favorite song out of all like everything yeah oh i don't think i have one okay but you need to tell me like what's your favorite genre is this sad pop
Speaker
I feel like I listened to everything. Back to the blue. This song is one of her few love songs, like I said before. And I just think it's so cutesy. And I think it captures perfectly the feeling of having a new crush and how you hope
it will work out, but you're scared. And I really like the lyric, I've never felt this close to someone. What if you're my weakness? Yeah, but I did have another plot hole.
Speaker
Oh, no. I found another plot hole because she says that she was the one that ended things in a previous song. But in the blue, she says that the breakup was a surprise to her. And that kind of pisses me off. She's not very consistent. And I need a consistent Thoreau album. I agree. And I also feel like she added. I also found it so interesting how she added this.
Speaker
song near the end of the album because it kind of shows her reminiscing about the beginning of the relationship and how she wants things to go back to how it was before everything happened. Yeah, yeah. I get that. I rated this song an 8 out of 10 because I actually thought it was pretty alright. I didn't mind it. Like,
Speaker
I don't know, I just thought the music, the lyrics, chorus, pretty good. I would rate this a 10 out of 10. Possibly 11 out of 10. Really? Yes. Wow. It was so good. I loved everything about it. It's such a hard launch song. If I could describe this song in one word, I'd say cutesy. Cutesy. Okay.
Speaker
I would not say cutely. It's like sad cute. But it's like, I mean, all her songs, like, none of her songs are really like upbeat and like pop. Yeah, I get that. But her lyrics are just like, they're so wholesome and cute. And
Speaker
And for our next song, we reviewed Right Now. What did you think about it? I really liked Right Now. This was actually my favorite song on the album. Like, the intro was low-key fire. I really liked the intro. I did not expect that. I don't know, man. And then the lyrics were my favorite of all of them because they weren't repetitive and they were deep, and I actually, like, enjoyed it. And this was a good sad song. If you actually want to listen to a good sad song,
Speaker
Sad song, Emily. Listen to it right now, but also check out Adrienne Linker. I don't like the slander. I'm going to keep promoting Adrienne Linker.
Speaker
Okay, let's not yuck my yum. Sorry. I think this is one of her saddest songs of all time. When I first listened to this song, I was like, wow, her voice sounds so full of despair and how she's so tired. It also shows the emotional conflict of moving out of your childhood home and trying to balance guilt and homesickness with personal growth.
Speaker
and trying to be your own self. - Yeah, moving out of your childhood home, that part made me really sad because that made me think about like my little sisters and I'm like, they're gonna be sad. - Yeah, this made me think of my sister too. - Yeah, 'cause your sister moved out recently. - Yeah, she did. - I miss her. - Me too. - I didn't really know her, but that's okay. - It's okay. I would rate this a nine out of 10. - Me too. - Only, it would be a 10 out of 10, but I took one point off 'cause it makes me too sad. - Okay, well then you don't listen to real sad songs.
Speaker
If this song made you too sad...
Speaker
Well, I guess it connects personally to you. Yeah. Okay, never mind. I take that back. I won't yuck you down on this one. Thank you. I like it. Okay, our last song is Block Me Out, which I low-key wish I could block me out too, sis. I just feel like it was all about anxiety and how she feels like she's too much sometimes, but then she's not enough for the right people, and she just doesn't really know how to communicate well, I guess.
Speaker
This is my song. I think it connects so well to the spiraling theme and like the overthinking or and the and how much she overthinks. And I think the lyrics are so good. And also talks about how ungrounded she is when she says, I feel 10 feet off the ground. I think you've said that a couple of these songs are your song. They're all my songs. I picked this album for a reason, Whitney. No need to nitpick.
Speaker
But I thought the lyrics were pretty good, all about escaping reality. And this would be a 9 out of 10 for me, but it's just not there yet. So this is an 8.9. Interesting. But it is fire. Okay. If I could, I'd rate this like a billion out of 10.
Speaker
Seriously? Yes. I think this has to be one of my favorites. One billion! But I would rate it a 10 out of 10. And we're also skipping Unsteady, 405, and Two People. Just because we don't have time for that. Yes, sadly. I know. Okay, so for our overall ratings, I think this album is just not really for me. And that's okay. Okay.
Speaker
Everyone can have their own opinions. Exactly. Obviously, I'm yucking your yum here. You really are. We're supposed to debate. Not really debate. We're not debating, but I'm supposed to argue with you sometimes. And I just don't really get why you like it so much.
Speaker
Okay. I strongly disagree. I chose this album because I think it's one of her strongest albums, in my opinion. And I think it's just banger after banger. I don't think she has a bad song at all in this album. I don't think you know what a banger is. Okay. This is revealing a lot about you to me. Oh, okay. Now we're just personally attacking. Okay.
Speaker
Okay. But I think the lyrics are so deep and I love every single lyric and I resonate with so many of her songs. But I do agree. It is a little repetitive, but I feel like that's also like part of the theme of the album. Yeah. I will say one thing I liked about it was that her lyrics were very poetic. Yeah.
Speaker
And I feel like she would have been better off just writing a book of poems instead of an album because her singing is nice, but she has the same tone the whole time. And the instrumentals are pretty similar the whole time. And it ends the same. It starts the same. And it's just kind of like...
Speaker
Some people just don't get it. It's okay. You know what? It's just not for you. And that's okay. It's okay. That's okay. Everyone can have their own dislikes and likes, and that is okay. And some people's opinions are just wrong sometimes, but it's okay. It's okay.
Speaker
Okay. I'm just being rude. Hey, you started it. Yeah, I'm sorry. Okay. But one more thing I want to point out. I really like how she had very prominent themes and motifs that just kept coming back to, like, the overthinking and, like, the breakup theme in general. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well...
Speaker
I mean, the whole thing is a breakup. To recap, my favorite song was Right Now, which I gave a 9 out of 10. It was great. It was really, like, the actual sad song. The good sad song. The too sad song. The good sad song. And then my least favorite song was Will You Cry, which I gave a 5 out of 10. It was just not for me. I agree. I would also pick either Will You Cry or Amelie. It wasn't bad. It's just I don't really like...
Speaker
typically press on that whenever I want to listen to Gracie. But my favorite song, if you couldn't guess, I have too many. But if I had to choose, I would either pick Block Me Out or Best. I think her lyricism is so strong in both songs. And it's just one of my favorites. Is this your favorite Gracie album? Like out of her albums? Or is it like...
Speaker
Your second or third? I think more favorite. I have stronger favorite songs from her other albums, but I chose this album because I think it has less bad songs and more good songs, if that makes sense. Yeah, I get that. So it's just overall very, very strong.
Speaker
A few of Gracie Abrams' other albums you may have heard of are The Secret of Us and Daughter from Hell that she just released this year. Now we're playing That's So True, which is listed as her most popular song on Apple Music. Again, I'm Whitney. And I'm Emily. If you would ever like to request an album for us to listen to, DM us at rate.the.record on Instagram. Thank you so much for listening to Rate the Record. Boom!