Madisyn Gifford beautifully depicts love and loss on ‘I hate ur guts’ | Melodic Mag

Recommended Tracks:  “Bare Minimum”, “Hope You’re Well”, “Except For You”
Artists You May Like: Alessia Cara, Olivia Rodrigo, Nessa Barrett

How is it possible that we can have both love and hate for someone at the same time?  This is a question that comes into play on Madisyn Gifford’s debut album I hate ur guts.  Over the course of 14 tracks, Madisyn attempts to find closure and acceptance as she encounters the end of a relationship.  She gets into some of the thoughts and feelings that come forth during a breakup, such as missing the good times, accepting the moments that were bad, and wishing she could just move on.  Quickly, we learn that the road out of heartbreak is not direct.

There are plenty of times on this album when Madisyn delves into the special parts of the relationship, convincing herself that things were not so terrible.  On the slow-burning ballad “We Missed Our Anniversary,” Madisyn gets caught up in her feelings, imagining what it would be like if things worked out.  With a heavy heart, she recalls, “I know I made the right choice / But I can’t remember why,” and tries to figure out where to go from there.  We get a similar vibe on the semi-acoustic “Except For You,” where Madisyn finds herself getting emotional about “all the little things” about the relationship, such as the ex’s basement couch or the way their love was “way too dreamy.”  While it will take some time to move past the doubt, these tracks give use the sense that Madisyn will be able to find the closure she needs.

Because ultimately, Madisyn knows that the relationship came to an end for a reason.  She talks directly to her ex on the feisty “Bare Minimum,” mentioning that she “made excuses” and “asked for the bare minimum” from this person, only to be disappointed.  However, on “Hope You’re Well” and “Let You Go,” Madisyn admits that she was also to blame for the relationship’s demise.  On the latter, she apologizes for her actions, singing, “I’m sorry that I crushed you under all the weight I couldn’t take / Because I was too young to understand,” hoping to end on good terms.

In the end, Madisyn embraces the concept of moving on – even though it is easier said than done.  On the groove-infused “Linear,” for instance, she acknowledges that it will take some serious navigation to “get over” her ex, as she is constantly seeking answers.  Despite what she is up against, however, Madisyn is up for the task, singing “I’ve swept the dust / From under the rug / Found treasure” and “These firestorms and hurricanes / Baby, they ain’t nothing,” on the empowering “Magic Like My Own.”  It is refreshing to hear her pick herself up and tap into that confident version of herself, as we also find on “Girl Talk” and “Every Part,” which are sure to help someone going through a similar situation move forward.

When speaking about I hate ur guts, Madisyn mentioned that the best way to summarize the theme of the album is through a lyric found on the title track.  Nearly halfway through the song, Madisyn sings, “When you hear me sing these songs about how much I hate your guts / Please don’t go forgetting that I love you just as much.”  This line really does cover the ups and downs that we hear throughout the album, showing that a breakup consists of more than sadness and tears.  There are a few tracks that sound redundant, in that they repeat a point that has already been made, but Madisyn clearly “understood the assignment,” and achieves her goal of validating the feelings of anyone who listens.