I have my daughters to thank for my next Song of the Summer candidate. They recently introduced my wife and me to Audrey Hobert, a talented singer-songwriter whose debut album dropped last month.
Hobert is part of a recent crop of nepo baby artists, and is childhood friends with another of them, Gracie Abrams. After starting her career as a TV comedy writer (a job that made her father successful), she co-wrote songs with Abrams. That work led to her own record deal.
Her debut, Who’s the Clown?, is full of sharp, funny, confessional pop songs. There’s a bit of Taylor Swift in there, but also a little Liz Phair. She’s refreshingly frank and self-deprecating, a messy girl role model for a generation raised on social media show-offs.
I could have picked a number of songs from this debut as Song of the Summer candidates, but my daughters recommended ‘Thirst Trap’ for its fast pace and summer bummer lyrics. It’s a great example of the sound and attitude of the album.
So I’m crazy? (Not me)
That’s usually not my thing
Bitch, I’m crazy (Crazy, crazy)
Suspicious and insane
Can you blame me? (Get you up to speed)
Yeah, you made me this way
Now I’m in the trenches
Fightin’ for my senses
[Pre-Chorus]
Stay up and I pace around, I pace around the room
Wake up and I’m thinkin’ ’bout, I’m thinkin’ ’bout you
Can’t read or write or do what I like to do
I spend my days, 420 blaze, just thinkin’, “What’s he gonna do?”
[Chorus]
I’m takin’ thirst traps in the mirror in my room
I think I look bad so I change the lightin’
I used to kick back, watchin’ movies and the news
But now I’m lame, it’s such a shame, I used to be so super cool
[Verse 2]
But then I got that thing and it changed me
Now all I ever think’s, “Would you date me?”
And I bet you would, but if you wouldn’t, oh
I’ll catch you in the trenches
Comin’ to your senses
[Pre-Chorus]
Stay up and I pace around, I pace around the room
Wake up and I’m thinkin’ ’bout, I’m thinkin’ ’bout you (Thinkin’ ’bout you)
Can’t read or write or do what I like to do
I spend my days, 420 blaze, so vacant, tannin’ on the roof
[Chorus]
I’m takin’ thirst traps in the mirror in my room
I think I look bad so I take a hundred
I used to kick back, watchin’ movies and the news
But now I’m lame, it’s such a shame, I used to be so super cool
I’m takin’ thirst traps, and I’m wakin’ up at noon
I think he’ll text back when I’m in the shower
I used to kick back, watchin’ movies and the news
But now I’m lame, it’s such a shame, I used to be so super cool
[Post-Chorus]
I used to be so super cool
Now I’m in a box with all the tools
I know it’s all because of you
Yes, I forgive, but I don’t forget at all
You’re not sufferin’ a fool
I know it’s why you want me too
I know it’s why you want me too
‘Cause I used to be so super cool
[Bridge]
But now I listen to my playlists and pretend I’m you (Pretend I’m you)
Look at what I posted and pretend I’m you (Pretend I’m you), uh
I’m sick and twisted and borin’ (Uh, uh)
But all yours, so let me adore you
I’m not what I used to be
And you don’t want me, it’s easy to see
And I’ll move on eventually
But for now, I’m takin’ pictures
[Chorus]
I’m takin’ thirst traps in the mirror in my room
I think I look bad, but it doesn’t matter
I once read that some people’s beauty can’t be captured
And he’ll be sorry, happy ever after
[Outro]
I’m takin’ thirst traps (She’s takin’ thirst traps)
We’re takin’ thirst traps (She’s takin’ thirst traps)
Uh, uh, uh
Meet Me In Montauk 
Yay!! Love Audrey Hobert and this debut album so much. What a unique and immediately fun/infectious vibe.
I was lucky enough to see Audrey come out as a guest performer at Gracie Abram’s LA concert. The pair sounded wonderful together. I’m excited for both of them to make a lot more awesome music.
Good find by your daughters (as well as mine).
Her sound reminds me of Carly Rae Jepsen.
Love this selection as a Song of the Summer candidate! I was also introduced to Audrey Hobert by your daughter funnily enough. I was messaging Sophie about my love for Gracie Abrams (specifically “I Knew It, I Know You” which has a very cool tonal and rhythmic switch halfway through) when she asked if I’d heard of her friend and cowriter, Aubrey Hobert!
I said I had not and was immediately introduced to “Bowling alley” which I then listened to on repeat and remains one of my favorite songs I’ve heard from her. Throughout “Who’s the Clown?” what stands out to me is her consistently inventive melodies. She uses her voice so effectively to shift in between smooth lows and enchanting highs in her falsetto. The tunes are always catchy but in an unexpected way which is a hallmark of some of my favorite songwriting!
Of course, her lyrics are the other drawing factor where she’s simultaneously self deprecating and glorifying her mistakes and the kind of life she lives. It’s the perfect soundtrack for someone in their mid-20s reconciling some of the same issues. I would be very proud of our society if this song amongst others off this album skyrocketed to the top of the charts to earn “Song of the Summer” status!
well with such high praise from my grandchildren I had to take a listen. First though I needed to find out what “thirst traps” were and then I listened to the song and watched the video. Great Fun! 👏👏