Magical. Is one word that we describe the UK’s Macie Peters’ recent album release. The Good Witch was released on June 23 via Asylum Records UK. Since its release, the album has earned Peters her first #1 on the UK album chart, making her the youngest British female solo act to achieve this since 2014. In addition, it also makes her the youngest artist to claim a #1 since Olivia Rodrigo’s Sour.
Photo Credit: Sydney Worden
The Good Witch is considered the older, wiser and scorned counterpart of her debut You SIgned Up For This. The album was written and produced during her 2022 tour, which found the singer searching for balance between career highs and personal lows. As a result, The Good Witch finds the singer at her most introspective and the songs are influenced by the works of Joan Didion, J. M. Barrie, Greek mythology and Western movies. The themes explored in the album are heartbreak, friendship, and self-worth.
The album opens with the titular track, which is consists of personal voicemails and serves as a time capsule of who she was at the time the album was worked on. For instance, heartbreak, fame, and leaving the past behind were explored in here.
Next, “Coming Of Age” is an vibrant disco-pop that puts emphasis on Peters’ self-worth and putting herself first.
“There’s a song on this album called ‘Coming of Age’, which is a song about the fact that—how to put this?—sometimes I give magic to people. I think they’re magic, but they’re not: I just wrote them that way or I created them that way. You pin all your hopes and dreams on them. And the song, to me, is about seeing that actually I was the magic. The other person was there, but it was me that made this what it was and made this so special and shiny and glittery and beautiful.”
Maisie Peters
“Watch” is an angsty pop-rock song that deals with a broken ego about being forgotten about by an ex.
The lead single “Body Better” is an alternative synth song that finds Peters at her most vulnerable. Here, she is insecure about her ex’s new girl by claiming that she has a better body than she does. The track earned praise from publications like Rolling Stones, Consequence, and Billboard. Peters further explains the meaning of the song.
“It’s a song about vulnerability and quiet, forbidden fury; about heartbreak and insecurity so deeply rooted you have no idea where it begins or ends.”
Maisie Peters
In addition, it comes with an accompanying music video.
“Want You Back” is a heart wrenching piano ballad in which Peters laments the loss of a lover and wishes to have them back with her. Next “The Band And I” is an acoustic guitar anthem that recounts Peters’ first headlining tour in North America during 2022. In addition, it explores the excitement but also the feelings of homesickness and being in a new country.
“You’re Just A Boy (And I’m Kinda The Man)” finds Peters expressing her maturity and has no time for guys that waste her time.
The second standout track “Lost The Breakup” is a shimmering indie-pop song that deals with a breakup. It has gotten over 18 million streams and even a live performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
The country-tinged, dazzling “Wendy” uses Peter Pan metaphors as Peters determines that it is up to her to decide what is right for her and not wait around for someone else.
The third standout track “Run” is energetic female empowerment anthem that deals with ditching guys that are considered a “red flag.” Peters claims that the song was inspired by real-life events.
“I’d had a conversation with another friend where one of us said, ‘Next time a man says I want you in my life forever—and then proceeds to act in the most atrocious way any man has ever acted ever—we’re out.’ I wrote the song ‘Run’ in January/February 2022, just after that conversation, with one of my best friends [songwriter] Ines Dunn. We had that line going. In my own heart, I was no longer sad about it—I was just trying to take the lesson from it. I really tried to get that song right.”
Maisie Peters
It also includes a music video where we find the singer in the woods and use her witchy powers, among her coven.
“Two Weeks Ago” is an acoustic ballad that deals with regret of letting time pass by and not enjoying it in the moment. “BSC” is another moment of empowerment that deals with self-worth and cutting out people that are detrimental to your well-being.
We return to pop in “Therapy” and it deals with the consequences of a love gone wrong. You are loved so much that when it is over, you immediately blame the situation on yourself. “There It Goes” is an atmospheric song that highlights the importance of friendship and self-care after a period of depression.
The closing track “History Of Man” uses religious and Greek mythology references as Peters sings about a deteriorating relationship.
With a runtime of 47 minutes, Peters demonstrates introspection and growth that many young artists wish they were able to convey. The messages are delivered in a palpable manner that makes us want more.
Follow Maisie Peters: Instagram/Twitter
Stream The Good Witch below:
Other Articles
Can’t Hide The Pain In Terrell Andretti’s ‘Masquerade’
No Comment! Be the first one.