Pop star Gracie Abrams is giving fans a genuine peek behind the curtain of her creative process ahead of tomorrow’s album release. In an exclusive conversation with Billboard, she shared voice memo recordings from the early stages of two standout tracks:“Sober”and“Mews.”What’s fascinating is how honest she is about the songs that don’t make the final cut. For“Sober,”Abrams played a soft, hummed melody that was originally inspired by a melody from producer Aaron Dessner but ultimately didn’t survive to the finished version. The polished track channels a yearning quality instead, something she compares to her earlier work on“Good Riddance.”It’s a reminder that sometimes the best creative decisions involve knowing what to leave behind.
“Mews”represents another kind of ambition altogether. Recorded in a London studio bearing the same name, the track features orchestral string arrangements from the Macedonian Orchestra and showcases Abrams pushing her vocal range into unfamiliar territory. She describes it as the most ballad-like song she’s ever written, with a timeless, classic quality that captured her immediately. On a personal note, the album includes a co-write with her boyfriend Paul Mescal on a track called“Imaginary Friend,”adding another layer of creative partnership to this ambitious project.
The 16-track album marks Abrams’first full-length release since“The Secret of Us”in 2023, which debuted at number two on the Billboard 200. With early singles“Hit the Wall”and“Look at My Life”already gaining traction, the complete“Daughter From Hell”drops Friday, July 17th. What tracks are you most excited to hear when the album releases tomorrow?
About the Author
Ava Hart
Ava Hart is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
