Artists often use songs to sort through private feelings in public, turning breakups, friendships, and regret into something listeners can relate to. Taylor Swift is the clearest example of that tradition, and Gracie Abrams has often worked in a similar emotional lane. But in a recent conversation with Olivia Rodrigo, Abrams said she has now moved past writing as if she needs to assign blame.

Speaking with Olivia Rodrigo in a Spotify conversation posted Tuesday, Gracie Abrams said she has become much more careful about how she writes about conflict.

“I was careful about writing about conflict and pain from less of a place of pointing fingers and more so of having been on both sides, like, of both the protagonist and the antagonist of each song,” she explained.

That shift suggests a more self-aware approach to songwriting, one that leaves room for nuance instead of simple accusation. Abrams went further by admitting that her earlier work sometimes crossed a line for her.

“I was careless in the past writing music about how it might impact the subject, and I don’t like that,” she said. She added that she wishes she could go back and change some of those songs, which shows how seriously she now thinks about the real people who may hear themselves in her lyrics. By the end of the exchange, she framed this as part of her growth rather than a loss of honesty.

That perspective carries directly into how she now views her past work and future releases.

Gracie Abrams promises growth, accountability, and a softer lens

Gracie Abrams is embracing a softer, more considerate approach to her songwriting as she prepares to release Daughter From Hell. Looking back on her earlier albums, Good Riddance and The Secret of Us, she admitted that she was sometimes careless about how her music might affect the people she wrote about.

She said it feels strange to have those songs live on forever once she has already moved on from the emotions that inspired them. Abrams also acknowledged that being the subject of a song can be painful, and that she now understands how important it is to be mindful of the people behind the stories. In her view, honesty in songwriting does not have to come at the expense of kindness.

She explained that she has learned she can still tell the truth in her music while also being gentle and respectful toward the relationships and individuals involved. That shift suggests Daughter From Hell will likely carry the same emotional honesty listeners expect from Abrams, but with more restraint and self-awareness. The album is set to arrive on July 17.

What do you think about Gracie Abrams taking a more mindful approach to songwriting? Let us know in the comments.

Written by

Pratham Gurung

Edited by

Aliza Siddiqui