High school. The epitome of backdrops in your everyday teenage dramas — where heartaches and tension collide in a whirlwind of emotions in every glance and bittersweet memory shared. On this theatrical stage, tumultuous, stressful phases are something almost everyone can relate to. Whether it be that Spanish grammar test you flunked or your recent breakup, Gracie Abrams has got you covered in her new bonus track “That’s So True,” from her deluxe studio album “The Secret of Us.”

“Ooh, bet you’re thinking, ‘she’s so cool’ / kicking back on your couch, making eyes from across the room”

Released on Oct.16, 2024, and instantly topping the Spotify music charts, the song depicts Abrams’ feelings of strife as she sings about seeing her ex with a brand new girl. This inner turmoil is let out of the floodgates as she churns out the raw feelings that haunt her.

“Taking down her hair like, oh my god / I did that once, or twice”

However, as the song progresses and reaches a riveting bridge, her feelings of vulnerability begin to slip out as she realizes all the bumps and imperfections of her ex-lover that she smoothed over while she was in love with him. Upon reaching her epiphany, she resolves to warn the new girl about all her ex’s red flags in the hopes of saving her from the unquestionable jealousy and betrayal that will eventually follow from the aftermath of their relationship. 

“You’re an idiot, now I’m sure / now I’m positive, I should go and warn her”

Although it isn’t explicitly stated in the lyrics, Abrams’s song also highlights the importance of letting go. There are far too many real-life scenarios where people are unable to move on from their past relationships and continue to wish for them to be a part of their lives, either through stalking their social media pages or obsessing over them in real life. Rather than blaming others for everything that went wrong in the end, the healthier option is to make peace with the resolution and move on. 

Letting go is how you take a step towards personal growth. Letting go is how you focus on your future and stop wasting time dwelling over what’s done and passed. It’s like how you stuff all your childhood toys into a box and stow them away once you’ve passed a certain age — it’s just part of maturing and growing up, a statement that rings true for people of all ages as they go through different phases of life. 

“I think I like her, she’s so fun / wait, I think I hate her, I’m not that evolved”

It doesn’t always have to be about relationships either. Stress is a common figure present in all highschool experiences that keeps you on your toes and drowns you at the same time (cough, Spanish homework). And although I’m not saying to completely release yourself and forget about turning in your assignments, you should acknowledge the need to take breaks from time to time and feel what you need to feel before continuing again. It’s how you grow and how you develop! Everybody needs it — and that’s a true fact. 

“But I know what I know and you’re just another dude / ooh, that’s so true”