Gracie Abrams Daughter From Hell Track-By-Track Album Review

By Kayla Harper

Gracie Abrams’ third album, Daughter from Hell, arrived on July 17th. Abrams’ sophomore record, The Secret Of Us (June 21, 2024) took her from an under-the-radar bedroom pop/folk gem to a globally recognized phenomenon. Defined by her vulnerably blunt lyrics, acoustic leading production and soft vocal technique, her signature sound grows on Daughter from Hell, becoming her most sonically advanced project yet.

Drums at the forefront of the production on an Abrams song is something that’s been lacking in her previous releases. Her primarily guitar driven catalog only grows alongside the percussive elements, with a more “gothic folk..Aaron [Dessner] central” (Abrams for Popcast, June 25, 2026) string element creating an overall darker ambience. One thing Abrams’ has always done well that she seems to do even better on Daughter from Hell is utilize imagery throughout her lyrics to paint a vivid picture of a time and place through intricately specific and startling metaphors she inserts listeners into an otherworldly contemplation of their own experiences. Illusive and settled, Abrams draws further away from mainstream pop on Daughter from Hell, adopting alternative elements closer to the styles of The National and Bon Iver, here’s a deep dive into each track including the three bonus songs from Abrams newest release.

1. “Hit the Wall” 

The lead single “Hit the Wall” kicked off the Daughter from Hell era on May 14th.  A clear step forward for Abrams’ both sonically leaning into the darker mood of the album as well as vocally. Lyrically, “Hit the Wall” is an honest introspective glance at oneself in the form of a recurring mental spiral that sabotages a lot of the good that comes into our lives.  Read the full lyrical and musical analysis of “Hit the Wall” here.  

 

2. “Death Wish”

“Death Wish” was first performed by Abrams on The Secret Of Us Tour at the O2 Arena in London before becoming an official part of the setlist for The Secret Of Us Deluxe Tour. Many fans, including myself became partial to the live version of the track, played on piano with a gradual build of strings and percussion offering a moodier, more emotional interpretation of what it’s like to love a narcissist.

The album version of the song is the only part of Daughter from Hell that disappoints me, while I love the melody of the acoustic composition, it doesn’t suit the emotional depth of the song’s subject matter.  While it’s saying the same thing lyrically, the way it’s delivered loses the emotional weight carried by the original live version of the song.

3. “The Knife”

Abrams first alluded to “The Knife” in an Instagram story teasing new music last year, going through sketches, although she never shared it. Led by a melodic piano melody, joined later by strings and drums, “The Knife” talks about what it’s like to live with something difficult to let go of that changes you, whether that’s heartbreak or grief, it feels like a metaphorical knife in your side: “I’m living with a knife in my side /
I’m gonna take it for a joy ride…And they’re daring me to pull it out / I’ll probably keep it for a lifetime.”  For these reasons it really reminds me of learning to live with grief: “And I’m living with the ghost of you likе you’re riding shotgun on my long drives…But I’ll never face you or ever replace you it doesn’t work.” 

 

4. “Daughter from Hell”

The title track opens with distorted guitars bringing a unique grunge sound to this particular track of Abrams’. Additionally, “Daughter from Hell” holds one of her most impressive vocal showcases to date, with stunning layered melodies adding more depth to the emotional ode to her mother. “Daughter from Hell” acts as both an apology to Abrams’ mother for the mental headaches she may have caused in her upbringing, but also as a promise to try and live up to the woman her mother is whom she admires and loves. “With both of your hands you held up our house and down to my bones I hope that I make you proud…Daughter from hell, but I came around
I’ll try to become you now.” 

5. “Look At My Life”

The second single from Daughter from Hell, “Look At My Life”, carries the same introspective, self-deprecating tendencies as the previous single, “Hit the Wall”, but this time over a danceable beat, that almost seems to minimize the protagonists misfortunes, “a new spiral every night bawling my eyes out, no, but I’m so fine.”  “Look At My Life” is the most upbeat-pop style song on the record, with big musical production and intoxicating melodies to dance the pain away to “Maybe if I smile enough, I’ll get away with givin’ up / I’ll move across the country just to judge myself.”

6. “Good Reason”

“Good Reason” feels like it was ripped right out of Good Riddance (2023) dipped in The Secret Of Us (2024) and handed to us.  It is classic Abrams, the guilt and heartbreak of unreciprocated feelings and having to let somebody down especially when you don’t have a good reason to say no other than just not feeling it, “You’re too nice to mе when I tell you things you don’t wanna hear…I bet you’d probably sit there and take it well, that only makes me regret it if only I had a good reason.” Built on a rhythmic acoustic foundation. Reminiscent of tracks like “Best” (Good Riddance, 2023) and “I Knew It, I Know You” (The Secret Of Us, 2024).  ”

7. “Men Like You”

“Men Like You” has become a controversy among Gracie fans who are trying to decide if it’s about a man or a woman.  Ultimately it’s about whoever you relate it to, but my favourite interpretation is that it’s a friendship breakup in which Abrams’ is using the comparison to a man as an insult to whoever did her wrong, “girl, I know men like you.”  Again, “Men Like You” seems to sit within the realm of Abrams’ past work such as Minor (2020) or The Secret Of Us (2024) production-wise, however, it feels more confident vocally and instrumentally. With simple piano led melodic verses and an eruptive chorus as it explores a relationship where Abrams’ ultimately felt used and manipulated for the gain of someone else, “You’ll find someone to use go make yourself the hero / If I can tell the truth well, all you are is shallow.” 

8. “Sober”

“Sober” is a personal favourite, reminiscent of Abrams’ Good Riddance (2023) fingerstyle acoustic-led tracks and soft, whispery vocal style which compliments the vulnerability that feels like it was ripped right out of your journal and read back to you in a comforting way that says “you’re not alone.”  Across the delicate instrumental track, Abrams’ conceptualizes the what-ifs and in-another-life’s of a certain relationship, “I miss you from across the room, I wish you’d read my mind, you turn me see through.” 

9. “Broke My Heart”

“Broke My Heart” borrows passive-aggressive wit from songs like “Blowing Smoke”, “Cool” and “That’s So True” (The Secret Of Us and The Secret Of Us Deluxe 2024) to relay a one-sided heartbreak; what it feels like to be left behind and forgotten suddenly and effortlessly, left to mourn a relationship where you loved and gave more than you got alone, “Wish that we both had the same set of evidence, sick of defending it, you cannot make a truth by bending it.” Like most of Daughter from Hell, fingerstyle strings are accompanied by rhythmic enhancing drums and delicate keys.

10. “Mews”

“Mews” is another favourite of mine and arguably one of Abrams’ saddest songs. The melody sways over the track, Abrams’ breathy vocals so delicate it feels as though they are being held up only by the instrumental elements. “Mews” is similar to the previous track, “Broke My Heart”, but rather than feeling angry and petty, it’s just the sad realization of the burning out of a relationship where one party would’ve given everything to work through it and the other just wants to give up, “Do you hear the sound of our engine fading? Really ran it out
four tires flaming, can’t we just hose ’em down? ‘Cause I wanna drive ’til the mornin’ ‘Til you forget that you’re having doubts Run every light, every warning.” 

11. “Minibar”

“Minibar” was written with Abrams’ best friend Audrey Hobert, who also co-wrote many songs on the singers’ previous record, The Secret Of Us (2024). The pair played the track live at The Secret Of Us Deluxe Tour in L.A. last summer stating at the time they weren’t sure what would become of the song in the future. The synth keys, bass and eruptive drums feel reminiscent of Hobert’s musical style and takes on Abrams’ and Hobert’s lyrical style that feels like an internal monologue, which can be both humorous and relatable. Conceptually, “Minibar” was written for all the socially awkward introverts that would much rather be at home than at the party, “I’ll start the bit, then I take it too far might second-guess it, but oh well…and they’re loud, I’m mellow, and I’m gone, but hello…Hate to burst your bubble, I feel weird, I think I’m gonna go.”

12. “Imaginary Friend”

Abrams wrote “Imaginary Friend” with her boyfriend Paul Mescal and described it as a simple addition to the record that felt more in-line with her classic acoustic roots. “Imaginary Friend” seems to play with the idea of adjusting to a life without somebody or missing them so badly that you start to imagine talking to them and seeking their validation even if they aren’t actually in your life anymore.

13. “Afflictions”

Abrams first teased “Afflictions” on Instagram, posting a short clip singing the first and second verse and chorus.  While the production remains relatively simple the keys feel like sprinkles of hope over the drums which feel grounding and stable. “Afflictions” feels like a classic Abrams-style love song, declaring the most vulnerable confessions of admiration and safety she feels with this person who celebrates her at her best and is not afraid to pick her up at her worst, “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.”  “Afflictions” is my current favourite on the record because it reminds me of someone who’s helped me get to a better place in my life, “It’s the shape of your hands / made me brave once again / you became where I land / now you hold all of it.”

14. “Humming”

A clip of the second verse of “Humming” was shared alongside “Crazy Girl” and “Death Wish” on Abrams Instagram story last year. Politically charged “Humming” relays the difficulties of navigating the current political and social climate of the world, especially as a younger person trying to simultaneously navigate adult life for the first time, “And there’s no one at the top to believe / What a way to feel in your twenties / Do we stay numb? / But you can’t when you’re seeing how they all get off on our grieving / I don’t know love, how to live in extremes.” Accompanied by Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon on vocals, “Humming” is melodically haunting, just like anxiety of our world’s current state that sits under every moment like white noise.

 

15. “What If It’s Right?” 

Abrams shared “What If It’s Right?” to her Instagram story, not playing the track, but disclosing that it was one of her favourites she’s ever written on March 25, 2025.  A folksy-acoustic National-esque leaning guitar takes center stage, accompanied by Marcus Mumford on vocals, the pair sing of two people trying to make a decision about their future moving forward, whether to stay or part ways. Abrams use of figurative elements especially shine in the lyrics of this track as she describes her stubbornness in letting go “By the cold river, it bends, but I won’t like a stone and I’ll sink when I’m alone” and their admittance of hurting each other, “I might break you, but you broke me back all the same…ain’t it sad sharing this stage? I know you better than anything, you know me the same.”

16. “Cold Goodbyes”

Abrams played “Cold Goodbyes” live at The Secret Of Us tour in Milan, stating at the time she didn’t know what would become of the song. The version that made it onto Daughter from Hell doesn’t stray far from the version Abrams played that night, which suits the track and closes out the album perfectly. Sung in her lower register and accompanied only by an ambient piano, “Cold Goodbyes” is a moody, self-loathing track that seems to take place in the middle-of-the-night when the dust has settled. “Cold Goodbyes” refers to suicide, but also in respect to Abrams career, which can at times feel overwhelming for someone so introverted, it can seem appealing to disappear suddenly and quietly. “Cold Goodbyes” feels like the most blunt and darkest confession in Abrams discography, reminiscent of “Right now”(Good Riddance, 2023) and “Long Sleeves” (Minor, 2020).

17. “Crazy Girl” (Target-Exclusive Vinyl bonus track)

Abrams first teased a clip of “Crazy Girl” in March of 2025 alongside “Humming” and “Death Wish” on Instagram before playing the full song live with Aaron Dessner in July of 2025. The simple rhythmic electric riff accompanied by layered guitars, and bold drums make “Crazy Girl” feel like a grand confession of love as Abrams sings of all her desires to be close to someone, “I wanna call you by a nickname / I wanna crawl inside of your brain / I wanna hold you in the subway”, which contrasts realistically and beautifully with her underlying fear that it will never last and they’ll inevitably hurt each other, “And that I wanna lean into the heartache, but I wanna stop before it kills me, I wanna carve your name in star shapеs on the wall.”

18. “Love Letter” (iTunes bonus track)

“Love Letter” was first teased and announced on July 19, only two days after Daughter from Hell dropped, as part of a iTunes exclusive bonus track version of the album. A secret and fleeting midnight meeting between two lovers, “Love Letter” is accompanied by intimate and mysterious strings, as Abrams uses extreme imagery to declare her devotion for her lover, “Told me not to make a sound, but if there was a limb to sever, I would cut it off right now and I’d give it to you, my love letter.” 

19. “Out of Nowhere” (iTunes bonus track)

The biggest surprise when the Daughter from Hell tracklist was revealed was the omission of “Out of Nowhere”. The song was first teased by Abrams on social media ahead of her Glastonbury set last year (2025) before playing the full song during the festival. Abrams’ went on to include “Out of Nowhere” in the setlist for The Secret Of Us Deluxe Tour, so it was shocking to find out it may never officially be released. However, she announced on July 19 that it would appear alongside “Love Letter” as a bonus track. Written and produced with bandmate, Casey Kalmenson, “Out of Nowhere” talks of a connection that was deep and unexpected and is another track that plays with the concept of intimacy, using the metaphor of being transparency to describe this closeness. “Out of Nowhere” is arguably the most sonically different from anything else in Abrams discography, more dance-pop leaning while still grounding itself with acoustic guitars to give it that classic Abrams sound.