Gracie Abram’s sophomore album “The Secret Of Us” took over social media after its release in June. The indie-pop artist gained popularity in 2023 with her debut album “Good Riddance.” “The Secret Of Us” was promoted through an early release of the single “Risk,” and then “us.” (Ft. Taylor Swift) on release day. Abrams offered a potent, melancholic take on synth-pop with passionate lyricism, describing the pain of failed relationships.

21-year old Mercer Henderson’s “Not Really Strangers” is her debut album released just this month on Sept. 6. Despite only having seven tracks, it packs a punch with the emotional lyricism and catchy instrumentals.

Similar to “The Secret Of Us,” the album explores the complexities of love and relationships, the opening track “Anxious” describing feeling unworthy of her partner and her fear of burdening them. This subject is carried out through the album while Henderson captures the anxiety of losing the person you love and your relationship becoming obsolete. Henderson’s melancholic voice mirrors that of Abrams’ as she also recounts her experience of longing for someone that refuses to see her in “No Strings Attached.” Henderson concludes the album with track seven, “Love Me Or Leave Me,” while going back to the topic of one-sided love. “Lock Me Up” describes being so in love, she would do anything for the other person, even be locked up. Henderson’s heartbreaking lyrics make for exceptional ballads of loss and dread. This album will make you feel all the feelings all at once.