Risk (song)

Last updated

"Risk"
Risk - Gracie Abrams.png
Single by Gracie Abrams
from the album The Secret of Us
B-side "Close to You"
ReleasedMay 1, 2024 (2024-05-01)
Length3:11
Label Interscope
Songwriter(s)
  • Gracie Abrams
  • Audrey Hobert
Producer(s)
Gracie Abrams singles chronology
"Everywhere, Everything"
(2023)		"Risk"
(2024)		"Close to You"
(2024)

"Risk" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams for her second studio album, The Secret of Us (2024). It was released on May 1, 2024, through Interscope Records, as the lead single from the album. Abrams wrote the song with Audrey Hobert and produced it with her frequent collaborator Aaron Dessner. An accompanying music video for "Risk", directed by Hobert, premiered alongside the song.

Contents

"Risk" peaked at number 94 on the US Billboard Hot 100, while also charting moderately in the main charts of Australia, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. It received a gold certification in the former two countries. Abrams performed "Risk" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and The Today Show , and included it in the set list to The Secret of Us Tour (2024–2025) and Taylor Swift 's The Eras Tour (2024).

Background and release

Gracie Abrams announced her second studio album, The Secret of Us , on April 29, 2024, subsequently revealing its cover artwork and release date, June 21, 2024. [1] She wrote in the same statement that she would be releasing "Risk" on May 1 as the lead single from the album. Abrams said "Risk" was co-written with her friend Audrey Hobert and co-produced by her frequent collaborator Aaron Dessner, who produced her previous debut studio album, Good Riddance (2023). [2] [3]

Abrams teased the music video for "Risk" on April 30, and praised Hobert's direction by saying: "Working together on set and at home on our couch is the most fun I have ever had in my life, she is brilliant in all the ways". [4] Interscope Records released the song for digital download and streaming on the following day, along with its official video. [5] A 7-inch vinyl format of the single, which included the original song "Close to You" as its B-side, was released on May 31, through the same record label. [6] Following the release of the vinyl, "Risk" reached number one on the UK’s Physical Singles Chart. [7]

Writing and composition

In an interview with American music magazine Spin , Abrams said that she "would spill every detail of our lives in the time that [they] had", referring to the writing process that led her and her friend Audrey Hobert to compose the song. She followed by adding: "There was a real urgency to our storytelling, and it very naturally led to us songwriting together. We were like, 'We know how this night went down, but how do we amplify it or make it so dramatic that people want to scream it when we’re all at a show together?'". [8] The lyrics of the track are about a distant type of love, [9] "falling for someone you don't know at all", according to what the singer explained to Apple Music's Zane Lowe. [10]

Critical reception

Writing for Stereogum , Chris DeVille stated that "Risk" sounds "like a hit" and feels strong, and stated that it "continues Abrams' knack for memorable turns of phrase set to melodies that stick with you". [11] Lucy Phillips of Dork praised the song for showcasing Abrams' "growth as an artist". [12]

Live performances

Abrams performed live "Risk" for the first time on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on May 8, 2024, joined by her band. [13] On June 28, she performed it on The Today Show . [14] Abrams included the song in the regular set list to her fourth concert tour, The Secret of Us Tour, [15] and as part of the opening act to Taylor Swift 's The Eras Tour at the end of 2024. [16]

Charts

Chart performance for "Risk"
Chart (2024)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [17] 79
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [18] 64
Ireland (IRMA) [19] 48
Japan Hot Overseas ( Billboard Japan ) [20] 6
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) [21] 11
UK Singles (OCC) [22] 67
US Billboard Hot 100 [23] 94
US Pop Airplay ( Billboard ) [24] 25

Certifications

Certifications for "Risk"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [25] Gold35,000‡
Canada (Music Canada) [26] Platinum80,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [27] Silver200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history and formats for "Risk"
RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
VariousMay 1, 2024 Interscope [12]
May 31, 2024 7-inch single [28]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aaron Dessner</span> American musician (born 1976)

Aaron Brooking Dessner is an American musician. He is best known as a founding member of the rock band the National, with whom he has recorded nine studio albums; a co-founder of the indie rock duo Big Red Machine, teaming with Bon Iver's Justin Vernon; and a collaborator on Taylor Swift's critically acclaimed studio albums Folklore and Evermore, both of which contended for the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 2021 and 2022, respectively, with the former winning the accolade; as well as The Tortured Poets Department (2024).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conan Gray</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1998)

Conan Lee Gray is an American singer-songwriter and former YouTuber. He was born in Lemon Grove, California, and raised in Georgetown, Texas where he began uploading vlogs, covers, and original songs to YouTube as a teenager. In 2018, Gray signed a record deal with Republic Records, which released his debut EP, Sunset Season (2018).

"The Last Great American Dynasty" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her eighth studio album, Folklore (2020). The life of the American socialite Rebekah Harkness, who once lived in Swift's Rhode Island mansion, inspired her to write the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gracie Abrams</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1999)

Gracie Madigan Abrams is an American singer-songwriter. After releasing her debut album Good Riddance in 2023, Abrams performed as an opening act on Taylor Swift's Eras Tour and received a nomination for Best New Artist at the 66th Grammy Awards. In late 2023, Abrams was featured on a remix of the song "Everywhere, Everything" by Noah Kahan, marking her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100. Abrams's second album, The Secret of Us, was released on June 21, 2024, to favorable reviews and commercial success, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200. The album spawned UK number-one single "I Love You, I'm Sorry" and the later deluxe version presented the US top 10 hit "That's So True". She received a nomination in the category Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for her song "Us" featuring Swift at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willow (song)</span> 2020 single by Taylor Swift

"Willow" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her ninth studio album, Evermore (2020). It was released on December 11, 2020, by Republic Records as the lead single from the album. "Willow" is a chamber folk love song making use of several metaphors to convey the singer's romantic state of mind, such as portraying her life as a willow tree, over picked guitars, glockenspiel, flute, strings, and percussion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Body, No Crime</span> 2021 single by Taylor Swift featuring Haim

"No Body, No Crime" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, featuring the American band Haim, from her ninth studio album, Evermore (2020). She wrote the track as a result of her fixation with crime documentaries and podcasts, and produced it with Aaron Dessner. A murder ballad featuring styles of Americana, country, country rock, and country pop, "No Body, No Crime" is about the killing of a woman named Este, narrated by her friend who avenges her. Republic Records in partnership with MCA Nashville sent the song to US country radio on January 11, 2021, as a single from Evermore.

"Long Story Short" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her ninth studio album, Evermore (2020). She wrote the song with its producer, Aaron Dessner. "Long Story Short" is an upbeat song that consists of dynamic programmed and live drums, synths, strings, and guitars; music critics characterize the genre as synth-pop, electropop, folk-pop, and indie rock. The lyrics see Swift reminiscing about a dark part of her past and her contentment with a current state of mind.

"'Tis the Damn Season" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her ninth studio album, Evermore (2020). She wrote the song with Aaron Dessner, who produced it using an instrumental track he had written prior. "'Tis the Damn Season" is a folk song instrumented by a finger-picked electric guitar and programmed drums. Narrated from the perspective of a female character named Dorothea, the lyrics detail her returning to her hometown during the holiday season and engaging in a quickly-faded rekindled relationship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renegade (Big Red Machine song)</span> 2021 single by Big Red Machine featuring Taylor Swift

"Renegade" is a song recorded by American indie band Big Red Machine featuring American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, released on July 2, 2021, by 37d03d and Jagjaguwar. It was serviced to US triple-A radio on the same day as the third single from the band's second studio album, How Long Do You Think It's Gonna Last? (2021).

"Nothing New" is a song by the American singer-songwriters Taylor Swift featuring Phoebe Bridgers. Swift wrote the song in March 2012 and produced it with Aaron Dessner for her second re-recorded studio album, Red , which was released in 2021 through Republic Records. The track is a guitar-led folk and alternative rock tune about anxieties over romance and growing up.

"I Bet You Think About Me" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift featuring harmony vocals from the American singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton. Swift wrote it with Lori McKenna in June 2011 and intended to include it on her fourth studio album, Red (2012). Although it did not make the cut, it was produced by Swift and Aaron Dessner for Red's re-recorded version, Red (2021). Republic Records and MCA Nashville released the song to US country radio on November 15, 2021.

<i>This Is What It Feels Like</i> (EP) 2021 EP by Gracie Abrams

This Is What It Feels Like is the second EP by American singer and songwriter Gracie Abrams. It was released on November 12, 2021, through Interscope Records. The project is a primarily a pop record with influences of bedroom pop and indie pop. Abrams co-wrote all the tracks, and as a producer on "Feels Like", which served as the lead single for the project. The production was mainly handled by Abrams, Aaron Dessner, Joel Little, and Blake Slatkin.

"Would've, Could've, Should've" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. It is a bonus track originally released as part of the 3am Edition of her tenth studio album, Midnights (2022). Written and produced by Swift and Aaron Dessner, it is a new wave-leaning soft rock song about a narrator's rumination of a flawed, age-inappropriate romantic relationship in the past.

<i>Good Riddance</i> (album) 2023 studio album by Gracie Abrams

Good Riddance is the debut studio album by the American singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams. It was released on February 24, 2023, through Interscope Records. After the release of two acclaimed extended plays (EPs), Abrams began recording Good Riddance at Aaron Dessner's Long Pond Studio in the Hudson Valley, New York, across 25 non-consecutive days. The album was produced by Dessner and written by both Abrams and Dessner. The producer Matias Tellez provided additional production on two tracks and the musician Brian Eno co-wrote and co-produced the closing track. A deluxe edition of the album with four bonus tracks was released on June 16, 2023.

<i>The Secret of Us</i> 2024 studio album by Gracie Abrams

The Secret of Us is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams, released on June 21, 2024, by Interscope Records. It was mostly produced by Abrams and American musician Aaron Dessner, who she had first collaborated with on her debut studio album, Good Riddance (2023). Abrams wrote most of the songs with either Dessner or her frequent co-writer Audrey Hobert. Musically, The Secret of Us has been labeled as a country pop, indie pop, and folk album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Love You, I'm Sorry</span> 2024 song by Gracie Abrams

"I Love You, I'm Sorry" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams from her second studio album, The Secret of Us (2024). The song was written by Abrams, Aaron Dessner, and Audrey Hobert, with production handled by Abrams and Dessner. It was recorded at Dessner's Long Pond Studio in the Hudson Valley, in Los Angeles, and at Smilo Sound in Brooklyn. The track is a continuation of her 2020 song "I Miss You, I'm Sorry", and provides a new outlook on the relationship first presented in the song. Though both tracks are sonically similar, "I Love You, I'm Sorry" is a more chaotic track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Close to You (Gracie Abrams song)</span> 2024 single by Gracie Abrams

"Close to You" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams for her second studio album, The Secret of Us (2024). The song was released through Interscope Records on June 7, 2024, as the second single from the album, after it was issued as a B-side of the lead single "Risk" in its 7-inch format on May 31. Written and produced by Abrams and Sam de Jong, "Close to You" is an upbeat synth-pop track with lyrics about a declaration of love and lust.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Secret of Us Tour</span> 2024–25 concert tour by Gracie Abrams

The Secret of Us Tour is the ongoing fourth concert tour by American singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams, in support of her second studio album, The Secret of Us (2024). The tour began on September 5, 2024, in Portland, United States, and is scheduled to conclude on August 27, 2025, in Mexico City, Mexico.

"Us" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams from her second studio album, The Secret of Us (2024). The track features the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, who wrote it with Abrams and Aaron Dessner and handled the production with the two and Jack Antonoff.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">That's So True</span> 2024 single by Gracie Abrams

"That's So True" is a song by American singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams. It was released through Interscope Records on November 6, 2024, as the first single from the deluxe edition of her second studio album, The Secret of Us (2024). Abrams wrote the song alongside frequent collaborator Audrey Hobert, with production handled by the former, Aaron Dessner and Julian Bunetta. "That's So True" peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside of the United States, "That's So True" topped the charts in Australia, Belgium (Flanders), Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom, and also peaked within the top ten of the charts in Austria, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland.

References

  1. ↑ Rossignol, Derrick (April 29, 2024). "Gracie Abrams Is Following Her Spectacular 2023 With 'The Secret Of Us,' A New Album Out Soon". Uproxx. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  2. ↑ Phillips, Lucy (April 29, 2024). "Gracie Abrams has announced her new album, 'The Secret of Us'". Dork. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  3. ↑ Dailey, Hannah (April 29, 2024). "Gracie Abrams Announces New Single 'Risk' & Album 'The Secret of Us': Here's When They Arrive". Billboard . Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  4. ↑ Jacob, Lola (May 1, 2024). "Gracie Abrams to drop 'Risk' music video tomorrow". Coup de Main. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  5. ↑ Kreps, Daniel (May 1, 2024). "Gracie Abrams Shares Video for 'Risk,' First Single From 'The Secret of Us'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  6. ↑ Graves, Shahlin (May 10, 2024). "Fact of the day: Gracie Abrams is releasing 'Close To You'!". Coup de Main. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  7. ↑ "Official Physical Singles Chart on 6/6/2024". Official Charts. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  8. ↑ Jagota, Vrinda (May 1, 2024). "Gracie Abrams Tells Us All About Her 'Secret'". Spin. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  9. ↑ Gonzalez, Alex (May 1, 2024). "Gracie Abrams Dives Headfirst Into Love On 'Risk,' A New Song From Her Upcoming Album 'The Secret Of Us'". Uproxx. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  10. ↑ Childree, Aaron (May 26, 2024). "Today's Song: Gracie Abrams Dives Headfirst into Love on Her New Single "Risk"". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  11. ↑ DeVille, Chris (May 1, 2024). "Gracie Abrams – "Risk"". Stereogum. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  12. 1 2 Phillips, Lucy (May 1, 2024). "Gracie Abrams has shared her Really Very Good new single 'Risk' - listen". Dork. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  13. ↑ Zemler, Emily (May 9, 2024). "Watch Gracie Abrams Perform Courageous Single 'Risk' on 'Fallon'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  14. ↑ Kaplan, Anna (July 18, 2024). "Gracie Abrams opens up about her London 'Eras Tour' appearance with Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce". Today. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  15. ↑ Rossignol, Derrick (September 6, 2024). "Here Is Gracie Abrams' 'The Secret Of Us Tour' Setlist For 2024". Uproxx. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  16. ↑ Pascual, Danielle (October 19, 2024). "Taylor Swift's Eras Tour Returns After Nearly Two-Month Hiatus: 'Oh Miami, We Are So Back'". Billboard . Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  17. ↑ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 1 July 2024". The ARIA Report. No. 1791. Australian Recording Industry Association. July 1, 2024. p. 4.
  18. ↑ "Gracie Abrams Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  20. ↑ "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of June 26, 2024". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  21. ↑ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  22. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  23. ↑ "Gracie Abrams Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  24. ↑ "Gracie Abrams Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  25. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  26. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Gracie Abrams – Risk". Music Canada . Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  27. ↑ "British single certifications – Gracie Abrams – Risk". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  28. ↑ Abrams, Gracie. "Risk / Close To You 7" Vinyl". Gracie Abrams Official Store. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.