Gracie Abrams, Risk | Song Review 🎵

Pop singer/songwriter Gracie Abrams takes a “Risk” in the name of love on the promo single from her sophomore album, The Secret of Us.

“Look at me now / Said I wouldn’t do it, but I hunted you down.” Why, Gracie Abrams! She adds in the first verse of her single, “Risk”, “Know you had a girl, but it didn’t work out / Know you bought a house, but you had to move out / and I’m not proud.” So, Abrams is trying to ‘force’ the romantic issue on “Risk.” It’s a risk regarding making him fall for it. Where there is no risk is the makings of a captivating pop song.  Love, and all the things we as humans do for love, always yield an ear-catching listen.  “Risk” is the second track of The Secret of Us (arrives June 21, 2024). Risk” was penned by Abrams and Audrey Hobert. Abrams produced with Aaron Dessner.

There are plenty of positives regarding “Risk.” The songwriting is engaging, first and foremost. The chorus is memorable, as to be expected in a pop song:

“God, I’m actually invested

Haven’t even met him

Watch this be the wrong thing, classic

God, I’m jumpin’ in the deep end

It’s more fun to swim in

Heard the risk is drowning, but I’m gonna take it.”

Haven’t even met him, Gracie? WTF? Furthermore, in the second verse, she’s “Holding my breath like I met someone / Knowing damn well that I haven’t been touched by you.” Damn! The narrative is intriguing.  The melodic lines in the verses and the chorus are strong.  The sound of the record is strong too with driving rhythm guitars carrying the groove.  Abrams sings with an undertone initially, packing more of a punch in the chorus.  The chorus is fuller, from an instrumental and vocal perspective. The second iteration of the chorus is more pronounced than the first, with Abrams’ vocals in the forefront. Gracie makes you feel what she’s singing about on “Risk” which is a major selling point.  The sole rub? From an instrumental and production perspective, I would love more bass and at times, a fuller sound. Eventually, the production fills out more, led by sick, pummeling drums, but the bass could still stand a boost.  Overall, however, I’m on board for the “Risk” that Gracie Abrams serves up!

Gracie Abrams // The Secret of Us // Gracie Abrams / Interscope // 6.21.24

[📷: Brent Faulkner/The Musical Hype; Gracie Abrams / Interscope; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Królestwo Nauki, OpenClipart-Vectors, Pete Linforth, Tumisu from Pixabay]