music
March 20, 2026
Grace Ives: Girlfriend review
(True Panther/Capitol)The New Yorker’s third album leaves behind her DIY origins to channel cult pop classics by Lorde and Sky Ferreira
TL;DR
- Grace Ives' third album, Girlfriend, is a departure from her earlier bedroom pop sound, featuring hyperdetailed and cosmic-inspired songs.
- The album reflects her journey towards sobriety and finding safety in a new environment.
- Girlfriend shares a conspiratorial sweetness and broken-mirror glitter with cult pop classics by Lorde and Sky Ferreira.
- The songs incorporate detailed production with glitchy synths and EDM shards, while maintaining accessible vocals and earworm melodies.
- There are nods to British club classics, with songs referencing Olive and Basement Jaxx.
- Ives candidly addresses addiction and personal struggles, but also expresses self-gentleness and the sensation of rebirth.