On June 23rd, 2023, English singer-songwriter Maisie Peters released her second studio album, titled The Good Witch. What Peters herself described as her “own twisted version of a breakup album” is sure to resonate with anybody who has gone through a separation that left them feeling it all — the good, the bad, and the ugly —seemingly at the same time. Similar to the contrasting highs and lows of Taylor Swift’s Red album or Lorde’s Melodrama, this 23-year-old musician has crafted a tracklist with enough emotional twists and turns to elucidate to her audience that healing from heartbreak is nonlinear, but far from impossible.
Track 1: “The good witch”
In the album’s first track, Peters introduces herself to her audience as the self-proclaimed “good witch,” preparing the listener for the emotional journey to come. Fans of Peters’ debut album, You Signed Up for This, may be familiar with its introductory lyric: “I am 20 and probably upset right now.” She includes a nod to this in “The Good Witch,” with the line “Still upset, but now I’m 22,” hinting at the theme of growth to follow. This song as a whole sets up the rest of the album by detailing Peters’ removal of her (now ex) partner from the center of her life, to instead refocus her attention onto herself and her loved ones who have stuck with her throughout past heartbreak.
Favorite lyric: “Still miss you, but I know now it’ll pass”
Track 2: “Coming of Age”
“Coming of Age” continues the album on a high note, with an energetic, catchy beat. This track follows the tone of independence set by “The Good Witch,” centering around Peters’ regrets of previously allowing her ex to take up such an important role in her life. This song serves as a reminder to the listener that it’s never too late to reclaim your spot as the main character in your own life, especially after a breakup.
Favorite lyric: “I let you butcher my big heart / But it’s my song and my stage / And it’s my coming of age”
Track 3: “Watch”
“Watch” is Peters’ prime example of a sad song masked by a happy instrumental — its beat matches the energy of the previous track, while the lyrics detail the hurtful experience of seeing an old partner move on while you’re still hung up on them. Anyone who has witnessed an old significant other showing off a better version of themselves post-breakup can relate to the “face slap” feeling that she describes, being forced to watch from the sidelines as their new and improved life plays out.
Favorite lyric: “Have a golden star, this one’s for free / ‘Cause you broke my heart and my self-esteem / For a girl who’s a remix of me”
Track 4: “Body Better”
Following the theme of “Watch,” “Body Better” is marked by yet another deceptively cheerful tune. This track explores the experience of post-breakup insecurities, especially ones that arise from comparing yourself to your ex’s new S.O. The singer’s non-stop questioning of whether the new girl’s body is more appealing than her own highlights the comparative nature that can be difficult to unlearn in our society, especially between women who share a romantic interest.
Favorite lyric: “If you love her, was I just an idea you liked? / A convenient use of time, with obedient blue eyes”
Track 5: “Want you back”
Here, Peters steps back from the lively beats with an acoustic ballad about the pain of romanticizing her time spent with a toxic ex-partner. This song recounts the issues experienced throughout the relationship, countered by a chorus that simply explains: “The issue is, I know all of this and I / I still want you back.” Here, Peters is vulnerable in admitting to an obstacle she has come across in her journey towards healing.
Favorite lyric: “I am not allowed to want you any longer / I must go out with a stranger / I must kiss him to get stronger”
Track 6: “The band and i”
This track deviates from the rest of the album, as it focuses not on the aftermath of a breakup, but instead serves as a love letter to Peters’ band and all of the memories made from performing together on her first U.S. tour. Though not as widely relatable as others, this song is loaded with inside jokes and sentimental references that highlight the singer’s genuine appreciation for those who have stuck by her side throughout her career milestones.
Favorite lyric: “It was a far-flung wish when we were young / Now we’re living the dream, and I hope we never wake up”
Track 7: “You’re just a boy (and i’m kinda the man)”
With this song, the album begins to pick up a more empowered tone as Peters noticeably gains more confidence. With lyrics like “You’re kinda awful, but you’re not awful on purpose” and “I’m not gonna wait, now I know better than that,” it’s easy to see the singer become more comfortable with dismissing the toxic men that had been haunting her in the previous, moodier tracks. The main takeaway of this song is clear from the title: boys are just boys—they don’t have the power to ruin you if you don’t let them!
Favorite lyric: “I’m on a one-way trip to take over the world / You could’ve come but your head’s in the sand”
Track 8: “Lost the breakup”
One of my favorites from the album, “Lost the Breakup” is a triumphant song about the delayed gratification of prioritizing your well-being after a breakup, rather than jumping right into the next best thing. On this track, Peters explains how to “win” in this situation by taking the time to heal and self-reflect instead of moving onto a quick, accessible hookup (as her previous partner does). The bridge sets the scene of the singer running into her ex after much time has passed — except now, he’s the one left stranded, as she rejects him and officially realizes, “Oh sh*t, I won the breakup!” This song serves as motivation for anybody struggling to continue along their healing journey, as it emphasizes the long-term gain of putting in self-work.
Favorite lyric: “I’ll smile and you’ll have to face it / I’m the greatest love that you wasted / But, by then I’ll be far away”
Track 9: “wendy”
“Wendy” pivots back to a theme of reflection on past relationships, with less production than many of the other hits of the album. Here, Peters compares herself to Wendy from Peter Pan, noting how both she and the fictional character get attached to a boy who never wants to grow up. However, unlike Wendy, Peters forces herself to leave the relationship, allowing herself room to grow without being tied to somebody she knows she shouldn’t be with.
Favorite lyric: “If I’m not careful, I’ll wake up and we’ll be married / And I’ll still flinch at the sound of a door”
Track 10: “run”
“Run” is a playful track about the harsh realities of becoming romantically involved with men, especially those who seem to be too good to be true… because they are. In this song, Peters gives her audience valuable advice about a lesson that she’s learned the hard way: “If a man says that he wants you in his life forever, run!” This lively song reminds the listener that you oftentimes need to keep your guard up to avoid falling for a potential partner’s empty promises.
Favorite lyric: “He likes a promise if he don’t have to keep it / He hates a sentence when he has to mean it”
Track 11: “two weeks ago”
The final ballad of The Good Witch thematically mimics “Want You Back” as Peters looks back fondly on her recently ended relationship, wishing to go back to two weeks ago for the chance to savor her final moments with her partner. The lyrics repeat “I wish” to convey the hopeless feeling of trying to will a terminated relationship back into existence, despite recognizing the drawbacks of the partnership.
Favorite lyric: “I wish we kissed when we first wanted / And we didn’t miss all the time we did”
Track 12: “bsc”
On an entirely different note, “BSC” is an anthem for the unhinged post-breakup actions done in a fit of rage. In this song, Peters leans into the crazy ex-girlfriend trope and self-identifies as “actually bloody motherf*cking batsh*t crazy,” complete with a lyric about plotting to murder her past partner. If you’re seeking revenge on somebody who wronged you, this is the track for you!
Favorite lyric: “Mr. I don’t want a label / You made me little miss unstable
Track 13: “therapy”
In line with the idea of self-help present in other tracks, “Therapy” (unsurprisingly) reflects on Peters’ retreat back to therapy. This song serves as the singer’s rant about the disappointment of trusting a new partner, just to find that the experience of dating them was no more rewarding than any of her past failed relationships.
Favorite lyric: “You gave me the world, and you gave me your word / It built me like a promise ‘til it broke me like a curse”
TRACK 14: “THERE IT GOES”
Amongst all of these amazing songs, the one that stands out to me the most is the penultimate track, “There It Goes.” Here, Peters beautifully reflects on all of the lessons she has learned in handling her breakup by explaining the relief and freedom she feels by refocusing all of her energy back into the person who matters the most to her —herself. The lyrics chronicle all of the changes she had made in her life as a newly single woman, from treating herself to flowers to scheduling yoga with her friends. Tying in both these happy little adjustments and the spiritual theme apparent from the album’s title, Peters fearlessly proclaims: “The universe is shifting, and it’s all for me.” Simple yet admirable, “There It Goes” serves as inspiration for everybody in their healing era (regardless of relationship status).
Favorite lyric: “I sleep through the night, and I go where I’m wanted / And I don’t need your light to be lit”
TRACK 15: “HISTORY OF MAN”
To wrap up the album, Peters leaves listeners with a track that goes beyond the scope of her own breakup by connecting her experiences to the power imbalance between men and women as a whole. She explains how her breakup was essentially doomed from the start, in line with women of centuries past who have tried for ages to conform to the male gaze while never successfully gaining equal respect. This song not only wraps up the prominent breakup story told throughout the album, but also resonates with female listeners by reflecting on the ways a patriarchal society trickles down to affect women on the individual level.
Favorite lyric: “I beg you, and you don’t understand / I hold on, I try to hold your hand / I save you a seat and then you say you wanna stand”
TUNE IN AND LET THE GOOD WITCH HEAL YOU!
The Good Witch has taken me from a casual listener of Peters to a definite fan, and I hope that others can relate upon listening to this album. Beyond being just sonically powerful, I admire how daring and honest the singer-songwriter is in crafting her opinions and feelings into digestible lyrics that many people can take solace in. The combination of different themes, moods, and sounds is sure to have something for everyone — breakup or not. If nothing else, Peters reminds us to celebrate ourselves and honor our emotions as we immerse ourselves in her personal journey of self-discovery and growth.