Sign Me Up For the Circus

So ICYMI, I LOVE Malcolm Todd. So, I've BEEN knowing his sister, Audrey Hobert, writes for Gracie Abrams. I'm not really on TikTok anymore (content production for work will do that), so I didn't know "Sue Me" was really circulating until like two seconds ago. I meant to listen to the project closer to the release, but totally forgot about it until I saw Trinity listening to "Sue Me" on AirBuds and immediately went to play the album to see what was tea.

Oh, and the making-of archive site is INSANE. Not to be overly parasocial, but I feel like Audrey and I would get along well because isn't this blog my thought archive? Like that's twin FR.

I have no clue how (or if) I'm going to rate this album and others in the future. Numbers stress me out, so this review is strictly vibes.

Track One: I like to touch people

Favourite line: "'Cause I grew up with a people-pleasing mother/So now, I have problems."

Five seconds in, I thought I knew what I was in for. Three seconds later, I was thrown for a loop. "I like to touch people" is the PERFECT opening track for this record. I mean, the title alone sets the tone for this album. It's awkward and cringey, but not too cringey, that I'm deterred from wanting to know more. It's the oversharing, stream of consciousness that we're used to from Gracie, but on cr*ck because we're getting it straight from the source. But, of course, the instrumentals sound like they belong at the beginning of a coming-of-age film.

Track Two: Sue me

Fav line: "In my bones, yeah, I know it's platonic/But f*cking your ex is iconic"

Audrey's intro to the world! Excellent choice for the lead single. If you don't listen to the lyrics, it's a fun, windows-down, 2010s-era pop song. If you do listen to the lyrics, it's even better. "Sue me, I wanna be wanted" is probably the realest line of the year (or ever TBH). Also, I'm not sure if any part of this narrative is based on truth, but regardless, I am SAT.

Track Three: Drive

Fav line: "Got his boring life story memorized"

Not my favourite song, but it's still pretty vibey. I likely won't be pressing play on it outside the context of the album, but don't feel the need to skip it.

Track Four: Wet Hair

Fav line: "Like, when did you get so tall?"

I feel like we could've had either "Drive" OR "Wet Hair," or at the very least, not had them back to back because they give the same thing. However, I think I like "Drive" more.

Track Five: Bowling alley

Fav lines: "Who's gonna tell 'em I'm a lucky beginner?" & "I take the trophy and I Irish goodbye."

Does this count as narcissism? I feel like it does, because she's basically saying "the party don't start till I walk in," but in an emo-indie-bedroom-pop kind of way, so the insecurities are sprinkled in between the main character moments. Either way, I'm here for it! I'm OBSESSED with the narratives Audrey creates in each song. They all feel cohesive (well, duh, it's an album), but it's as if I'm reading a book or watching a movie. Well, now that I think about it, she literally went to school for screenwriting, so like, I guess that adds up.

Track six: Thirst Trap

Fav line: "Suspicious and insane/Can you blame me?"

Liking a man is so embarrassing. Like literally throwing away your entire personality because an individual who couldn't care less about your existence is taking up your whole life. It really is "such a shame."

Track seven: Chateau

"He sucks, but he's rich."

This was my favourite song after my first two listens, because the premise is kind of ridiculous.

A nepo (who's BFFs with another nepo) rejects the supposed perks of her circumstance, but will probably use nepotism to have a successful album rollout. You know what, sure! I love a contradiction, especially when it sounds this good. Some of the pre-chorus is giving Gracie Abrams tea, but again, Audrey is LITERALLY the tea bag, so maybe Gracie actually sounds like Audrey.

Track eight: Sex and the city

Fav lines: "That's all for now, Mr. Driver/I'm rating you five stars," "He's off his meds, and he's an artist" & "Touching my leg, you don't have a headboard

CALL THE UBER AND I TELL HIM TURN IT UP, TELL HIM TURN IT UP BABYYYY

So I've never seen a single episode of Sex and the City, but now I feel the need to binge the entire thing to fully understand what I'm hearing. This song is my favourite off the album. No question. This track is truly overthinker-pop PERFECTION.

Track nine: Shooting star

Fav line: "I know that you're right but what if you're not?"

Kind of reheating nachos ("Sue Me"), but the songs are far enough apart that I don't mind.

Track ten: Don't go back to his ass

Fav lines: "Leave my friend alone/Go fetch it, it's a bone" & "That sh*t is a trap/all breaks, no gas"

I will be playing this for my friends on the REG. So catchy and effective! All very true statements that are kind of hard to hear when you're the one falling into the trap, but it's tied in such a cute little bow that maybe the message might actually get through.

Track eleven: Phoebe

"I'll know that he'll need me, once he gets to know me."

You know who would really get this song? Iris from Oh, Hi (if you haven't seen it, go watch!).

My mom banned me from watching Friends halfway through episode two, so I have no clue how many references there are aside from mentioning Joey (that's a character, right?). Regardless, I'm OBSESSEDDDD with this pre-chorus. Also, from now on, I'm referring to myself as avant-garde instead of ugly.

Track twelve: Silver Jubilee

"I'ma fall in love just to find out they paid you."

When listening to this song, I envision a montage of the wildest NYE party ever. But at the same time, it sounds like what everyone says summer 2016 felt like. (The beginning literally sounds like the intro song for a LaurDIY video). Sorry in advance to the three people I actually go out with, but this WILL be played during the pre. Also, I LOVE a fourth wall break, so I'm grateful she put one in the final song.

SONY