Gracie Abrams’ journey from childhood drumming to Grammy nominations highlights her rapid rise in music. Starting with intimate performances from her bedroom, she’s now a rising star blending indie folk influences with bold pop anthems.
Her evolution, shaped by influences from Phoebe Bridgers to Taylor Swift collaborations, defines her unique sound as she navigates towards musical stardom.
From Childhood Drums to Grammy Nominations
Gracie Abrams, at just three to five years old, tinkered on her father’s electronic drum pad, unaware that two decades later, she would share stages with Taylor Swift on The Eras Tour, performing to packed stadiums over 30 times. By age eight, she penned her earliest lyrics, never fathoming a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. Now, in the scorching summer of 2024, she marks her late-night debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, a far cry from her humble fifth-grade beginnings onstage.
From Bedroom to Stardom
Just four years ago, amidst the onset of the pandemic in 2020, she found herself in an unexpected spotlight, performing a modest Zoom concert from her childhood bedroom in Pacific Palisades. With a humble audience of just a hundred, she remarked on the surreal experience, unaware of what lay ahead. Despite the surprising turn of events, online enthusiasts quickly coined her a “Nepo baby,” referencing a theory gaining traction on platforms like Vulture.
However, a glance at her earlier Instagram posts reveals a deeper narrative—a decade-long dedication to music, evident from her teenage years onwards. Her journey, marked by moments like showcasing her “guitar fingers” and sharing Elliot Smith photos, underscores her lifelong passion for music.
A Rising Star in the Echoes of Bedroom Pop
In her formative years, she explored the realms of Radiohead, Nico, and The Beatles, much like any aspiring bedroom pop icon. Then, she stumbled upon Phoebe Bridgers’ early SoundCloud offerings, long before her debut album emerged, igniting a new wave of hope for melancholic souls.
Abrams’ first album, ‘Good Riddance’, resonated deeply with Bridgers’ signature sound and could easily find a home on Saddest Factory Records. Despite its similarity, the album shimmered with emotional depth, endearing shyness, and a hunger for contemporary folk influences. As anticipation grew for her next move, especially during Bridgers’ social media hiatus, Abrams’ trajectory appeared increasingly intriguing.
From Quiet Reflection to Bold Anthem
In a recent discussion, we recalled Abrams’ memorable presence at The Eras Tour. Her album, ‘The Secret of Us’, steered her towards becoming a new icon in country pop for sensitive youth, carving out a niche among those with a spare hour for music after the lengthy TTPD. Rather than pursuing indie folk akin to Billie Eilish, Abrams shifted gears towards louder, bolder teenage anthems reminiscent of Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift.
Her debut single ‘Risk’ exemplifies this transformation, blending Elliott Smith’s introspection, Joni Mitchell’s depth, and Patti Smith’s edge into an irresistible pop chorus, underscored by a touch of modest audacity in both the song and its music video.
A Brighter, Catchier Sound
In her debut, she bared her soul with longing and vulnerability. Now, her latest work starts off on a high note with the lively opener “Felt Good About You,” featuring jangly guitars reminiscent of Vampire Weekend. Her lyrics are swift and infectious, with hooks like “I felt good about you ’til I didn’t” and “We were fightin’ more than laughin’, black and blue.”
In “Blowing Smoke,” she draws influences from Alanis Morissette and Sheryl Crow, suggesting a bond with icons like Kate Bush, Pat Benatar, and Sandra across generations. She questions deeply with lines such as, “Tell me if she takes you far / Far enough away from all the baggage you’ve been carrying / Up that other hill to all the girls who’ll help you bury it.” Her evolution is marked by a brighter, more resonant sound, blending introspection with catchy melodies that linger long after the music fades.
Exploring Abrams’ Musical Evolution
Abrams’ recent work shows a blend of her signature Bridgers-like style, evident in tracks such as ‘I Love You, I’m Sorry’ and ‘Good Luck Charlie’, alongside a noticeable shift towards Jack Antonoff’s impactful sound, particularly highlighted in the Taylor Swift collaboration ‘Us’.
The album also features Aaron Dessner, known for his folk production prowess, who, much like with Swift’s ‘Folklore’ and ‘Evermore’, helped Abrams navigate towards a more pop-oriented direction. Tracks like ‘Tough Love’ introduce minimal electronic elements reminiscent of R.E.M.’s guitar-driven sound, while ‘Gave You I’ leans into ambient textures akin to The 1975. ‘Normal Thing’ rounds out the album with Jamie xx-inspired beats, adding a club-ready vibe beneath its surface.
Gracie Abrams: Finding Her Voice
Gracie Abrams attributes her father’s vivid storytelling to shaping her own narrative style, though distinctively her own. In tracks like ‘I Love You, I’m Sorry,’ she explores familial dynamics with a blockbuster flair, albeit not reaching the poetic heights of Marina Allen or Katy Kirby. Unlike Olivia Rodrigo’s witty lyricism early in her career, Abrams’ lines like “You were the best, but you were the worst” lack literary finesse. However, she shows growth with poignant moments such as “You were the crash, and now I break” in ‘Gave You I Gave You I’.
Learning from experiences and influenced by touring, her sound evolves from indie folk resemblances to a unique sonic identity, moving beyond initial critiques of nepotism. While ‘The Secret of Us’ may not yet rival albums like ‘Sour’ or ‘1989’, Abrams is steadily carving her path toward becoming an icon for new listeners.
