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Behind the Music: The Audio Engineer

February 14, 2023

The music industry is a place full of musicians, producers, and creators who have the magical ability to make those perfect sounds we hear everyday through our digital devices. We want to listen close

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Koji Kondo: Nintendo’s Melody Maestro

February 14, 2023

What do popular video games franchises Super Mario, Legend of Zelda, and Star Fox all have in common? They were all produced and published by Nintendo, and the iconic music themes that you hear in...

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Taylor Swift on Industry Sexism and Music Rights

February 8, 2023

Being a successful woman in the music industry is no easy feat. Not only do they deal with the typical trials and tribulations of being a musician, but there are also gender-specific challenges.

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What’s the Ideal Length for a Single— Are Songs Getting Shorter?

February 8, 2023

“Is it just me, or are songs getting shorter these days?” This is a question I have often pondered, especially in the last few years. It appears that in the era of social media, attention spans are

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SG Lewis: Who Is He - and What’s Next For This Rising Star?

February 6, 2023

SG Lewis (Samuel George Lewis) is a rising star in the dance/electronic music realm. He is a DJ/producer turned singer-songwriter, and is known for his disco-inspired, transcendent sound. He routinely

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Lessons to Learn From the Launch Of Sam Smith’s “Unholy”

February 4, 2023

Sam Smith just released their new album “Gloria” on the 27th of January. As described by Pitchfork, “Gloria flips between hyperpop, country, dancehall, disco, 2-step, and intimate, Kehlani-esque R&B”.

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Are Virtual Idols the Future of Music?

February 5, 2023

Virtual reality and the metaverse have become popular topics in the music industry where more and more technology and music have been combined, creating something that could revolutionize the entire

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Grammy Awards Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical: The Category Songwriters Deserve

February 5, 2023

The 65th annual GRAMMY Awards are here, and there's a long-awaited addition to the awards. This year marks the introduction of a new category: the Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical Award. For all

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How Zach Bryan’s Authenticity Makes His Music So Appealing, Even to Non-Country Fans

January 31, 2023

Zach Bryan released his first album in 2019, and in the short time since he has become one of the biggest names in country. His biggest album, “American Heartbreak”, broke single-day album streaming

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Miley Cyrus is Going to Take Over Pop in 2023

January 31, 2023

Miley Cyrus was born into the music industry, and has spent her career channelling her Nashville and Hollywood roots into a diverse discography stacked with hits. Add to that countless covers that are

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Why This Pop-Rock Band Got Hate For Starting On YouTube

January 31, 2023

Before the invention of TikTok, many music artists gained popularity through YouTube. However, similar to the TikTok stars of today, people in the music industry saw ‘YouTube bands’ as lesser because

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Will Google End Work for Music Creators with their New Music AI?

February 1, 2023

Google has done it. They have created an AI that can generate music from text descriptions. The announcement of this is timely because recently Chat GPT, (a language learning model created by OpenAI

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Gracie Abrams: From Minor to Good Riddance

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Gracie Abrams, the talented singer-songwriter, has mesmerised listeners with her introspective and emotive music since her debut album "Minor." Recently, she released her latest offering, "Good Riddance," which showcases her growth and evolution as an artist with such a unique voice. 

Minor - A Debut of Vulnerability

 Released in 2020, "Minor" introduced the world to Gracie Abrams' delicate yet powerful songwriting. The album revolves around themes of love, heartache, and self-discovery. Songs like "Friend" and "I miss you, I'm Sorry" captured the raw emotions of youthful love and loss. Gracie's unique voice, accompanied by minimalistic production, allowed her emotional lyrics to take centre stage.

Good Riddance - Evolution into Emotional Depth

In her sophomore album "Good Riddance," released in June, 2023, Gracie showcases a remarkable evolution in her artistry. The album takes a more experimental approach, incorporating a wider range of musical elements while retaining her signature emotional depth. Songs like "I know it won't work" and "i should hate you" demonstrate her growth in vocal control and an expanded musical palette.

Comparing Key Tracks

"I know it won't work" (Good Riddance)

This popular track from "Good Riddance" delves into the complexities of a failing relationship. Gracie's soulful delivery and introspective lyrics exhibit a newfound sense of maturity and emotional depth. The song's rich production and haunting melodies signify Gracie's artistic growth and willingness to explore new sonic territories.

"This is what drugs are for" (Good Riddance)

A departure from her previous works, "this is what drugs Are for" showcases Gracie's experimentation with a more electronic sound. The song's dreamy atmosphere and thought-provoking lyrics reveal her willingness to embrace different genres while staying true to her introspective style.

"Unsteady" (Good Riddance)

"Unsteady" reflects on the vulnerabilities of love and the fear of losing someone dear. Gracie Abrams' raw and emotive vocals underscore the song's touching  message, displaying her increased confidence and maturity in her delivery.

"Friend" (Minor)

A standout track from her debut album, "Friend" showcases Gracie's ability to convey complex emotions with simplicity. The stripped-down piano accompaniment allows her heartfelt lyrics to shine, capturing the essence of a bittersweet friendship.

"I miss you, I'm Sorry" (Minor)

In this emotional ballad, Gracie bares her soul, expressing regret and longing for a past love. The song's raw vulnerability resonated deeply with listeners, establishing Gracie as a gifted storyteller.

For her debut album "Minor," Gracie Abrams drew inspiration from personal experiences and emotions. She often started with heartfelt lyrics and simple melodies, letting the emotions guide her compositions and raised the beats to a faster beat in some of her songs. The minimalist approach to production allowed the focus to remain on the storytelling.

With "Good Riddance," Gracie Abrams expanded her creative boundaries. Collaborating with a diverse group of producers and musicians, she explored a broader range of sounds and arrangements. Her songwriting process remained deeply personal, but her growth as an artist allowed her to experiment with various musical elements, adding layers of complexity to her songs.

Gracie Abrams' journey showcases an artist who has come into her own, unafraid to explore new sonic territories while maintaining her raw emotional honesty. The albums stand as a testament to her growth as a songwriter and performer, captivating audiences with her intense beautiful music. As Gracie continues to evolve, we can only anticipate even greater masterpieces in the future, as she continues to touch hearts with her sincere and soul-stirring melodies.