Recommended Tracks: “Look at my life”, “Death Wish” “Good Reason”, “Humming”
Similar Artists: Lizzie McAlpine, Audrey Hobert, Noah Kahan
Gracie Abrams has officially released her highly anticipated third studio album, Daughter from Hell. Abrams collaborates with Aaron Dessner and Dan Nigro to create a more mature and self-reflective album in comparison to Good Riddance (2023) & The Secret of Us (2024). This piece of work takes an inner look on what it means to grow up and honor your past, and even more, honoring your mother.
The album’s opening track “Hit the Wall” is a song that we are already familiar with. There is a self destructive tone in the lyrics and an anxious pattern in the production. With lyrics like, “I’m afraid that my fortress is a glass box / I should know what I’m playing but I forgot / Felt good for a day, but I guess not”. There is a shaky inflection in Abram’s vocalization of the song that reflects uncertainty, creating explorations of intrusive thoughts, loneliness, and self sabotage. Abrams writes, “I hit the wall/ I try to be violent, but I get caught / A room full of doctors and can an inkblot” describing the feeling of being trapped by your own designs and decisions. The story that she captured with this song also plays into the anxiety if trying to predict how a situation may play out due to her own habits or patterns. This is described with lyrics like , “Sooner or later, you’ll find out / I in a pattern of break downs / You’ll bend to my silence, it’s so loud / And then you’ll lose me to the crowd / Hit the wall, I just hit the wall/ I’m not a problem you can solve”. This opening track humanizes any antagonist of their own story.
Following the lead single with a teeth gripping song titled “Death Wish”, which Gracie Abrams debuted for fans at the O2 Arena in London on March 6th, 2025. This song articulates the experience of what it is like to be tangled romantically with a narcissist. When playing the song in front of the live audience for the first time Abrams said, “This song is about a friend of mine who recently was dating, like, a mega narcissist.”. With the live debut version Abrams played a piano that cascaded a glooming feeling over the song. However, with the official release of the song with the album, the production is more upbeat and joyous, yet the lyrics hit’s you with the harsh reality being dealt with in real time. The confusing oppositions between the upbeat tempo of the production and the cut dry lyrics perfectly encompasses the world that a narcissist wishes to build when establishing control. Gracie Abrams sings, “So how will it end? How long will you give me? / ‘Til you wish the knife with a smile while you kill me? / Then you ask me to dance if there’s someone around / You don’t look the same when I look at you know”. In the bridge she takes a stand seeing the person for they really are, “A breath of your air is a death wish”. Breathing this person in, will rotten her to the core, killing her softly.
“The Knife” is a metaphor for a heartache that never seems to heal right overtime. Abrams describes a story of someone choosing to leave a relationship but the pain still lingering with the person left behind. The narrator of the song seems to walk through life, carrying the pain, and learning how to accept the loss. The song explores the complicated feelings of knowing that someone is not right for you, and yet still not being able to fully to let them go. Moving on from the wrong relationship whilst feeling the weight of the love for them can be an uneasy and conflicting emotion. “The Knife” captures the double edged sword of that world.
Next is the title track, “Daughter from Hell”, which has been described as a love letter as well as an apology to Gracie Abram’s mother, Katie MacGrath. The album sonically takes a sharp turn with this track with the distorted electric guitar and edgy production. There’s a smokey sent of angsts with this song that describes her own reflection on her youth. The song is a tool upon reflection for Abrams to transition from adolescence to adulthood while being in awe of her mother. It’s not holding any resentment towards your own mother, but’s seeing how far she has come as a woman in the world and aspires to be as good as her. Abrams describes the feeling of being inadequate and doubtful with herself.
Following the title track with the second single, “Look at my Life” looks deeper into how Gracie Abrams is reflecting on her navigating the pressures of sudden fame with her career. The lyrics explore themes of ‘imposter syndrome’ with lyrics like “Slowly morphed into a poser/ Barely know her anymore” and “My nightmare actualizеd / Got what I wanted, it doesn’t sit right”. This is one of the more up beat tracks on the album with the drums resembling a heartbeat racing as if she is out of breath from running as the song progresses. This track plays into the existentialism of her career and how fast everything has took off in the past two to three years.
“Good Reason” is a bitter song about leaving a good and comforting relationship, because you know it’s not good for yourself. The song has a romantic wave to its production, though the Abrams cuts you with the harsh reality of making the choice to leave. Abrams articulates the feeling of waking up one day and like a light switch, choosing herself over the discomfort of a hollow and unfulfilling relationship that no longer serves her. The second chorus she sings, “That’s when I knew, suddenly you would be grieving / I’m only half sure that I mean it / If only I had a good reason / Oh, but I bet you’d probably sit there and take it. / Well, that only makes me regret it. / If only I had a good reason”. Sometimes there is no good reason to leave. There is an overwhelming sense of self-doubt and being uncertain if this is a rare form of self-sabotage. This song explores the murky feelings of knowing a loving relationship is not right, but not knowing why it’s not right.
Transitioning into “Men Like You” explores with elements of betrayal. In a unique angle, Abrams showcases a conflicting dynamic where a person is forcing her to either herself or something shallow and lifeless. The lyrics eloquently say, “Go make yourself the hero / If I can tell the truth / Well all you are is shallow / Girl, I know men like you”. Sense the character of the narcissist making another appearance with this track with the story that Abrams is painting. Along with the familial production sounding similar to “Hit the Wall”, these tracks hold a fascinating conversation between a strategic narcissist and an apologetic self-destructive antagonist.
“Sober” invites you to a sweet side of revisiting a past entanglement and enjoying a moment. The short and sweet message sings in the first chorus, “And I think in time or another life / Under yellow light, you would move your face just closer / I’d blame it on the high / kiss and then we’d sigh / Kiss again and say / “Come over” “. A familiar relationship whispers through out the song as a pattern seems to repeat itself.
With the sudden switch with the track of, “Broke My Heart”, continues the story of caring the heartache whilst burning the love story of the past. This track feels like it’s the other side of coin of “Good Reason”, whereas here Gracie Abrams is describing the sudden emotional whiplash of the other person. We hear this in lyrics like, “God I feel insane cause / You look at me like a stranger / But you know me / How could you treat me like nothing to lose / No difference to you / But you just broke my heart.” Nodding a reference to an earlier track on the album, “The Knife”, she references that she’ll carry the pain her whole life. The song swings like a youthful nursery rhyme feel that still breathes the maturity heartbreak.
Gracie Abrams then introduces the track “Mews”, a breathy and piano jolt for listeners. It stops you in your tracks and proposes the conversation of once being the victim in the past and then with the maturity of growing up, realizing that you’ve been the villain. In the bridge she sings, “I believed every word that you read /Every glorified tome by the side of your bed / When you swore you’d go right / Then you went left instead / How was I supposed to know? /Did I miss the sign when you’d answer my call? / Like if between the lines, did one breath say it all? / When you called me naive, did you mean to a fault?” The character arch from playing the victim to recognizing you’re the villain are themes woven in and out of this record.
She is at the party again in the song “Minibar” causing trouble! This track takes a break from the introspective ballads and turns into a self-deprecating upbeat song. Here she is a mess eating the cake and caviar, breaking down the door like a bombshell, and feeling overstimulated and out of place. Gracie Abrams performed this song for the very first time on The Tonight Show. With this song she embraces her social awkwardness and hyperawareness in being perceived by the party that she is at. It’s a playful track that does not distracts you from the painful reality of social anxiety.
The morning after the “Minibar”, on the comedown that “Imaginary Friend”, which was co-written by Gracie Abram’s partner Paul Mescal, invites you to listen to the demon of the inner critic of one-self. Gracie Abrams acknowledges that she is trapped in a loop of thinking that she is a failure of her own doings. She is looking for a sense of guidance from an outside character that is a figment of her own imagination, come to realize that this is her harshest critic. This song introspectively is trying to trust one’s self while simultaneously knowing that you are the one who caused mistakes in the past. “Imaginary Friend” is a mental spiral that takes place in her kitchen asking come to life to help Abrams redeem herself.
Then the song “Afflictions” comes as an exhale as someone reaches for Gracie Abrams hand in oder to bring her peace to turbulence of life or inner thoughts. Compared to the rest of the tracks on the album, this acts like a tranquil track to the narrative. Abrams expresses the safety of being in a healthy and loving relationship with the opening verse saying, “You hold my hand through turbulence / You sugarcoat the oxygen / My lungs are full. / I’m sick again / I feel you coming on / You never simply talk to me / You tell the truth about everything / Of all of your afflictions / That is my favorite one”. This song also explore the feeling like you are not as “strong” or “sick” in comparison to your partner and expecting them to walk away. However, in this love story this character holds Abrams and doesn’t let her go.
“Humming” is a stand out on the album where Abrams dives into the commentary of how to navigate being in your twenties while handling the pressure of the uncertainty of the political climate. The impending doom anxieties lies in many of us and we feel so disconnected more than ever today. Abram’s allows the anxiety to exist and suggests that we come together to hum. The track is haunted by the horrifying events that have been happening all over the world and younger generations feelings of helplessness. But Gracie Abrams restores an optimistic message with, “I’m convinced our sinking ship / Will sing as it goes down / Haunting hymns keep echoing / After we’re in the ground”.
Nearing the end of the album, “What If It’s Right?” articulates not knowing if a person is right or wrong for you in a safe relationship. Being uncertain with your intuition is a complex emotion that Abrams sings with a nervous raspy and shaky singing voice. Gracie Abrams sings along side Marcus Mumford on the track, making seem like there is a dialogue between the characters of this song.
The closing track, “Cold Goodbye”, continues the shaky breath with a haunting exit. Abrams says that she “knows better” than to escape her pain in such a manner that would be self inflicting, but will occasionally fantasize about it. This track closes the album with the self awareness from the depressing pressures from the album.
Gracie Abrams has expressed that this album, Daughter from Hell, defines the decade for her while she finds her voice through this body of work. This album is more existential than her other diaristic albums like Good Riddance (2023) & The Secret of Us (2024). The singer-songwriter has created a spiderweb of an album where all of the tracks are webbed together.
Stream the Album on: Spotify / Amazon Music / Apple Music / Pandora
Abrams will being hitting the road for another tour to showcase the new album and share the stage with many other amazing artist such as; The Japanese House, Grace Ives, Rachel Chinouriri, Del Water Gap, Jensen McRae, Charlotte Lawrence, Holly Humberstone, Bella Kay, Samia and Jake Minch.
The Look at My Life Tour dates:
North America (tickets here):
Dec 2 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena *
Dec 3 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena *
Dec 6 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena *
Dec 7 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena *
Dec 9 – Glendale, AZ – Desert Diamond Arena *
Dec 10 – Glendale, AZ – Desert Diamond Arena *
Dec 14 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum *
Dec 18 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum +
Dec 19 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum +
Dec 20 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum +
Jan 26 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena !
Jan 27 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena !
Jan 29 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena !
Jan 31 – Portland, OR – Moda Center !
Feb 1 – Portland, OR – Moda Center !
Feb 11 – Chicago, IL – United Center #
Feb 12 – Chicago, IL – United Center #
Feb 14 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena #
Feb 15 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena #
Feb 18 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena @
Feb 19 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena @
Feb 23 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena @
Feb 24 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena @
Feb 26 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center @
Feb 27 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center @
Mar 1 – Boston, MA – TD Garden @
Mar 2 – Boston, MA – TD Garden @
Mar 4 – Washington, D.C. – Capital One Arena ^
Mar 5 – Washington, D.C. – Capital One Arena ^
Mar 8 – Montréal, QC – Centre Bell ^
Mar 9 – Montréal, QC – Centre Bell ^
Mar 12 – Philadelphia, PA – Xfinity Mobile Arena $
Mar 13 – Philadelphia, PA – Xfinity Mobile Arena $
Mar 16 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center %
Mar 17 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center %
Mar 19 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center %
Mar 20 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center %
EU/UK (tickets here):
Apr 8 – Paris, FR – Accor Arena >
Apr 9 – Paris, FR – Accor Arena >
Apr 12 – Paris, FR – Accor Arena >
Apr 15 – Antwerp, BE – AFAS Dome >
Apr 16 – Antwerp, BE – AFAS Dome >
Apr 19 – Dublin, IE – 3Arena >
Apr 20 – Dublin, IE – 3Arena >
Apr 22 – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live >
Apr 24 – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live >
Apr 25 – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live >
Apr 27 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro >
Apr 28 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro >
Apr 30 – London, UK – The O2 >
May 1 – London, UK – The O2 >
May 3 – London, UK – The O2 >
May 4 – London, UK – The O2 >
May 7 – Amsterdam, NL – Ziggo Dome &
May 8 – Amsterdam, NL – Ziggo Dome &
May 10 – Amsterdam, NL – Ziggo Dome &
May 12 – Berlin, DE – Uber Arena &
May 13 – Berlin, DE – Uber Arena &
May 18 – Stockholm, SE – Avicii Arena &
May 19 – Stockholm, SE – Avicii Arena &
May 23 – Milan, IT – Unipol Dome &
May 24 – Milan, IT – Unipol Dome &
May 27 – Barcelona, ES – Palau Sant Jordi &
May 28 – Barcelona, ES – Palau Sant Jordi &
+ With Holly Humberstone
! With Del Water Gap
# With Charlotte Lawrence
@ With Grace Ives
^ With Bella Kay
$ With Jensen McRae
% With The Japanese House
& With Jake Minch
> With Samia
Keep up with Gracie Abrams: Instagram // TikTok // Spotify // YouTube
