Risk (song)
| "Risk" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Gracie Abrams | ||||
| from the album The Secret of Us | ||||
| B-side | "Close to You" | |||
| Released | May 1, 2024 | |||
| Length | 3:11 | |||
| Label | Interscope | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) |
| |||
| Gracie Abrams singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"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.
"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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[17] | 79 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[18] | 75 |
| 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
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[25] | Gold | 35,000‡ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[26] | Gold | 40,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
[edit]| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | May 1, 2024 | Interscope | [12] | |
| May 31, 2024 | 7-inch single | [27] |
References
[edit]- ^ 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.
- ^ Phillips, Lucy (April 29, 2024). "Gracie Abrams has announced her new album, 'The Secret of Us'". Dork. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Jacob, Lola (May 1, 2024). "Gracie Abrams to drop 'Risk' music video tomorrow". Coup de Main. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ Kreps, Daniel (May 1, 2024). "Gracie Abrams Shares Video for 'Risk,' First Single From 'The Secret of Us'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ Graves, Shahlin (May 10, 2024). "Fact of the day: Gracie Abrams is releasing 'Close To You'!". Coup de Main. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
- ^ "Official Physical Singles Chart on 6/6/2024". Official Charts. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ Jagota, Vrinda (May 1, 2024). "Gracie Abrams Tells Us All About Her 'Secret'". Spin. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ DeVille, Chris (May 1, 2024). "Gracie Abrams – "Risk"". Stereogum. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ a b Phillips, Lucy (May 1, 2024). "Gracie Abrams has shared her Really Very Good new single 'Risk' - listen". Dork. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ Zemler, Emily (May 9, 2024). "Watch Gracie Abrams Perform Courageous Single 'Risk' on 'Fallon'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Rossignol, Derrick (September 6, 2024). "Here Is Gracie Abrams' 'The Secret Of Us Tour' Setlist For 2024". Uproxx. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 1 July 2024". The ARIA Report. No. 1791. Australian Recording Industry Association. July 1, 2024. p. 4.
- ^ "Gracie Abrams Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
- ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of June 26, 2024". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
- ^ "Gracie Abrams Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
- ^ "Gracie Abrams Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Gracie Abrams – Risk". Music Canada. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- ^ Abrams, Gracie. "Risk / Close To You 7" Vinyl". Gracie Abrams Official Store. Retrieved May 9, 2024.