Gabrielle Grace is a new folk-pop artist to the Nashville scene. Originally from a small town in southeast Texas, she’s determined to make an impact in the city. The album was inspired by recent life-altering experiences. The album is meant to take listeners on a journey through the depths of pain and the heights of joy that she has experienced recently. After months of working in the studio to craft this debut full-length album, it’s release is finally here! She hopes that her music will resonate with her audience and find a place in their own stories. Above all, Gabrielle Grace is dedicated to authenticity and honesty in her music, her message comes through as fans describe her music as genuine, and lyrically insightful.
The album opens with I Wish That I Could Tell You, a song that sounds lighthearted sung by Grace’s delicate voice. You find that the lyrics revolve around themes of missed opportunities, regret and longing. She expresses regret for her actions (or lack thereof) and a desire for a deeper connection.
The energy picks up in Hollywood Radio. Whether it was intentional or not, this song has elements that sound inspired by feel-good 80s pop songs. With the simple drum pattern with gated reverb to the synth bass-line. The lyrics have themes of unexpectedness, uncertainty, and the pursuit of dreams.
Want You Bad Anyway has a similar sense of nostalgia with catchy synth and electronic sounding drums. The chorus We can talk ourselves in circles / Just to meet right back / Put it all on the line / And give it all we have / Cause I want you / Oh I want you…. has a catchy melody that carries the narrative. The lyrics convey a willingness to endure pain for the sake of a relationship.
In Could It Be Me, Cory Hale and Gabrielle Grace’s voices blend nicely together with his voice and octave under hers. These lyrics are introspective, they explore themes of memory, aging, and personal growth. The verses express uncertainty and fear with the speaker’s mind fading, and a need for understanding in the process.
In Don’t You Give Up the lyrics offer a hopeful view through a difficult time, and the importance of love and support. Opening with I know you’ve been there / Just rolling with the tide / And It all feels wrong / But somehow it all feels right. The chorus conveys a sense of hope and encouragement Don’t you give up / don’t you give up oh no / Keep on holding / Keep on holding on / Don’t you give up / Don’t you give up oh no.
Draw the Line is a change of pace from the previous upbeat song. Thelyrics explore themes of internal conflict and the challenges of communication and emotional vulnerability. I’ve been talking to myself for weeks / You even offered to pay for my therapy. In the chorus Gabrielle reflects on the struggle to find resolution.
Things Are Looking Up explores themes of uncertainty and the desire for authenticity. They touch upon the struggle of dealing with personal challenges and the choice to face them.
Are You Feeling Good the lyrics in this song explore self-doubt and the struggle to confront personal issues. I think this song could be written for herself or a partner, either way she suggests a lack of awareness and a need for it.
Two Sides serves as the title track the outro is the repetition of “there’s two sides to everything”. The line suggests a duality in relationships and life in general. The lyrics grapple with the weight of time and missed opportunities, particularly on honesty and missed connections.
The album ends with an acoustic song titled Never Knew You, it draws attention to the intimate and personal lyrics. I’m not sure if the death or loss she describes in the song is real of metaphorical. But she describes deep melancholy and uncertainty around it. Saying When I’m shaken without warning in my head and in my bone / I guess I’ll understand it when I’m old / And my mother kept you hidden to protect me from the worst.
The album explores themes of missed opportunities, regret, uncertainty, which she draws from her personal experiences with each. She offers self-reflection, comfort and hope as remedies, things that have seemingly served her well. She takes the listener along for an intimate and personal journey. I would say this album is a nice first full length project for Gabrielle Grace.
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