Hi all!

Today I am gushing about my new favourite artist and her debut album: Audrey Hobert. I have not been this obsessed with a singer, since declaring myself a full-blown Swiftie. Who’s The Clown? is my favourite record of 2025. I listen to it on repeat, every single chance I get. In this post, I’m breaking down the tracks, ranking them and telling anyone reading, why they should be listening to Audrey. Without further ado, let’s get into it!

WHO IS AUDREY HOBERT? 

Audrey is an American singer/songwriter, who has co-written several songs with fellow artist/best friend, Gracie Abrams. I discovered her a couple of months ago, whilst listening to one of my favourite pop-culture journalists review her work. What I didn’t realise was, I have actually loved her for a while. I’m not a huge Gracie fan but I absolutely adore That’s So True. Turns out, Audrey not only co-wrote the song, she provided backing vocals on the track. The part of Gracie I was drawn to, was entirely Audrey’s influence! Her rambling, yet intelligent lyrics and breathy cadence, send me to another planet. There is something truly unique about her. She’s a self-professed ‘ugly girl.’ Her hair is messy, she wears minimal makeup, dresses like she raided a thrift store and dances free, without abandon. She’s not trying to sell you an image. She’s selling her talent, humour and inner monologue through catchy hooks and addictive production. It’s like listening to one continuous stream of consciousness, but done to perfection. Once you’ve caught the bug, you won’t want the cure. 

WHO’S THE CLOWN?

Audrey’s debut record was released last month and it’s front-to-back perfection. Not a single middling track to be found. I love clowns, especially scary ones, so it’s a bonus that they are a recurring motif throughout the album’s visuals. She confessed to naming the album (Who’s The Clown?) after writing Sex and the City – realising she is indeed, the clown. This album has had four release singles: Sue Me (her smash hit), Bowling Alley, Wet Hair and Thirst Trap. I remember thinking if those songs were any indication of what was to come, I would be in very safe hands. I’m happy to report, I was 100% correct. 

TRACK RANKING/BREAKDOWN

1.) Chateau 

Chateau is a perfect song. In this track, Audrey sings about how tiring it is to spend time with pretentious A-listers. She even remarks that high school was a better experience. She doesn’t want to be at the Chateau. She longs to leave this group of stuffy socialites, stating in the bridge she doesn’t care who they are or who they know. I’m a sucker for the electric guitar riff halfway through. Not to mention, how cathartic it is to yell along with her. I really relate to Audrey’s social awkwardness and introversion. It’s a running theme on this album, making me feel seen. This song is a masterpiece.

Favourite lyric: “Are we, legally bound, to stand in a circle, looking around?”

2.) Thirst Trap 

Thirst Trap is a banger to end all bangers. It’s no surprise she released it as a single, along with a very fun music video (watch below). As suggested by the title, Audrey sings about taking thirst traps (hot photos) of herself in the mirror. You may think that a vapid, shallow concept for a song, but remember, Audrey considers herself to be unattractive. With humour, she laments about needing to change the lighting, or taking at least 100 pictures before being satisfied with just one. At one point, we get a heavenly saxophone solo. It works so well with the fast-paced production. It’s about having a crush that fills you with butterflies. All you want to do is send them an image that will get their heart racing; which is hard to do when you don’t love your own reflection.

Favourite lyric: “Can’t read or write or do what I like to do. I spend my days, 4/20 blazed, just thinkin ‘what’s he going to do?’”

3.) Sue Me 

Sue Me is Audrey’s breakout hit. It’s what put her on the map, launching her into the stratosphere of mainstream pop. It’s a highly addictive song, full of punchy writing. I absolutely love the way she dances in this one, with the clown in the background (see music video below). This track is all about wanting to be wanted after a relationship has ended. I find Audrey’s songs to have many layers, despite being quite short. There are bridges, refrains, post-choruses, pre-choruses and more to look forward to – each one unique in their own way. Sue Me has that in spades. You can’t help but want to dance when it comes on.

Favourite lyric: “And I’m sorry that your dog died. I’m sorry that I’m like your dream bride. You’ll go to heaven and I’ll go to hell in the meantime.” 

4.) Wet Hair 

Audrey is the QUEEN of niche concepts! How she managed to come up with a song about Wet Hair, is beyond me. Her mind! In this track, she reflects upon meeting up with an ex she hasn’t seen in some time. She arrives to the bar with wet hair, proving the meeting does not matter to her. However, when she sees him, she is astounded by how good he looks, realising she should’ve made more of an effort. It’s witty, clever and fun. It also has one of the best hooks on the album (see music video below).

Favourite lyric: “Sad old me showed up with wet hair, like it didn’t matter and I didn’t care.”

5.) Bowling Alley 

Speaking of niche concepts, this might be her best one yet. In this track, Audrey is at home, ready to settle in for the night, when she gets invited to a bowling alley with her friends. She feels like nobody would care if she showed up, but decides to go anyway. When she’s there, she wishes she was back home, in her nightgown. However, she ends up winning a trophy, proving she’s a lucky beginner. As she stares at the prize in her bedroom, she confesses she’s glad she went. It’s hard to believe she tells that entire story in such a short song, but she does. It’s insanely clever and relatable. We all wish to be out when we’re in and wish to be home, when we’re out. The music video has some really fun choreography (see below).

Favourite lyric: “Sometimes I get on my knees, pray to God, the birds and the bees. I do it in a crisis. It’s a crisis nightly now.”

6.) Phoebe 

This song has completely grown on me! I didn’t connect to it right away, but I do now. Phoebe is a reference to the character from Friends. Audrey sings about how she finally started watching the show in her mid-20’s, shocked that it took her so long. She categorises herself as the Phoebe of the group. She’s the quirky one. The one that isn’t lusted after, quite like Rachel and Monica, but still charming in her own way. She admits she used to feel ugly but has since embraced her looks. Being Phoebe is a huge compliment.

Favourite lyric: “But now I’m never lonely, not since I met Joey. But when I turn the lights out, Joey doesn’t hold me.”

7.) Shooting Star 

Next is Shooting Star. This song is less about storytelling and more about vibes. It’s a fun, upbeat pop number, that will make you want to dance. It’s about being at a club – noticing a cute guy from across the way. You make up a story arc about him to your friends but realise fairly quickly, he’s not a ‘shooting star.’ He’s a dud. It’s hard to tell if someone is a diamond in the rough or just another loser. Audrey articulates that feeling well.

Favourite lyric: “Here’s what I do, when he’s showing his cards. I get all my friends, and sit ’em all down, and set him apart.” 

8.) Silver Jubilee

I had to look up what a Silver Jubilee is. According to Google, it’s the celebration of a 25-year anniversary. As Audrey is currently 26, I would guess this was written to honour 25th birthday. That would make the most sense, as it is a very uplifting/celebratory song. She’s living her life; preparing for a long, winding road ahead. Maybe toward fame/success or a relationship. Maybe both! It’s a great album closer.

Favourite lyric: “I’ma put my drinks up. It’s drinks up now. I’ma tell my sister she’s perfect.” 

9.) Sex and the City 

Sex and the City is a fantastic song. It’s lower on my list purely because it’s the slowest track on the record. It’s more of a ballad. Similar to Phoebe (see above), Audrey is making a pop-culture reference to the television show of the same name. She wants to believe her life is glamorous (like the series), but in actuality, confesses that nobody sees her write in her room. Nobody calls her with big declarations of love, or takes her back to their place for a fun, memorable night of passion. The reality is much bleaker and bland. It’s honest, confessional songwriting. She wants to be a Carrie or a Samantha but instead, is deeply lonely. 

Favourite lyric: “What’s it like to be admired? Hot and desired?”

10.) I Like to Touch People 

I Like to Touch People is the album opener and a song Audrey has been playing in venues for years. The title is blunt and funny, indicating something deviant. However, Audrey’s explanation is much more simple. She just likes to connect to fans through her art; making them feel something. It’s less lyrically dense than her other tracks but it still has a good vibe. She intimates that strangers are typically drawn to her. Even if she’s bored by them, she listens intently, because she grew up with a people-pleasing mother. Relatable!

Favourite lyric: “I like the look in their eye. Like when they double over. I like when they nod, wide-eyed, screaming, so right.”

11.) Drive 

In second-last place, we have Drive. This song is about a date gone wrong. Another disappointing night, Audrey sings, after being bored to tears by a potential love-interest. She hops in the car and puts it in drive, because sometimes, as she croons, that’s all you can do. I like this song but it doesn’t have a whole lot of substance to it. It’s more of a chill track to play in the background.

Favourite lyric: “I don’t know when it happened, must’ve happened overnight. I woke up from a nightmare, where I loved a socialite.” 

12.) Don’t Go Back to His Ass

Last, but not least, we have Don’t Go Back to His Ass. Even though I’ve placed it 12th, I still like it. As I said, this album is front-to-back. In this track, Audrey is begging her friend not to go back to their ex, but she’s also giving herself the same advice. She declares it’s a trap – his good behaviour will never last. She details just how frightful this man is, from complaining about his exes, to not being present in the relationship. It’s perfectly fine, just the one I listen to the least.

Favourite lyric: “The city sounds like gin and tonic and old friends from college. And sunsets, and honest opinions and olives.” 

Thank you so much for reading! Do you like Audrey Hobert?

Peace & Love xoxo