If you’ve ever felt like you were too much or too weird, Audrey Hobert is for you. She’s made being weird cool again, and I couldn’t be more relieved. “Who’s the Clown?” is for every girl who once felt like she was too much, and this album has been my anthem since it was released.
The name Hobert may sound vaguely familiar. She’s known for her close friendship and collaboration with Gracie Abrams on “The Secret of Us” and is the daughter of Tim Hobert and sister of singer-songwriter Malcolm Todd. With all this musicality around her, she was destined for stardom.
There was a lot of anticipation for Hobert’s debut as a solo artist and it’s safe to say she’s surpassed every single expectation. Her first hit, “Sue Me” peaked at No. 26 on Billboard, and the release of her debut album “Who’s the Clown?” has cemented her place as an alternative pop icon. With this success, it’s hard to believe that Hobert wasn’t always intent on being a musician.
In 2021, she graduated from New York University with a BFA in screenwriting and began working behind the scenes. The success of Hobert’s collaboration on Abrams “That’s So True” and “I Love You, I’m Sorry” launched her into the industry and pushed her to finally start a solo career.
With “Sue Me” as a hit, Hobert has fused herself into the industry with her humorous, storytelling lyricism and authenticity. From her social media presence to her style choice, it’s clear that Hobert is opting out of the overly saturated, perfectly curated aesthetic photos and fake gentility. Instead, she’s unafraid to be herself, whether that is mismatched clothing or insanely intimate lyrics, she doesn’t shy away from what many would consider weird.
This is made clear in her songs “Bowling alley,” “Phoebe,” and “Silver Jubilee.” These are, in my opinion, her most worthwhile pieces, and the ones that are sure to make you a fan, even if you decide not to give the album a shot.
“Bowling alley” is an upbeat, pop song exploring the desire for validation. Hobert has stated that this is one of her personal favorites! It’s told as a story, beginning with the narrator being invited to a party and then overthinking the value of her presence, “And I don’t think anyone cares if I go or not.” The song also explores the intimate, universal experience of sometimes feeling like nobody cares about you, unless you accomplish something of sorts. “So I walk in hot, oh, great nobody noticed/‘Til I hit that strike, then everybody noticed me.”
“Phoebe” is for all “Friends” fans, using Phoebe as an archetype for being quirky and an outcast. While the song does share some heavy sentiments, such as “Cause why else would you want me?/I think I’ve got a fucked up face,” to its core, it’s about self-acceptance. “Had to dig deep inside me/Til I found what I was looking for” and “Who cares if I’m pretty/I feel like I’m Phoebe” are the most powerful lyrics in this song. Hobert takes on a humorous metaphor and sheds light on what many artists shy away from, such as insecurity, the fear of being seen as weird, and self-hatred, and made the message about self-love.
“Silver Jubilee” is the awkward-girl pop anthem about navigating social life as an overthinking perfectionist who isn’t big on partying, while also connecting to the theme of self-acceptance. The song explores wanting to be a “normal girl” and party, but at the height of the song confesses, “If I’m being honest, I don’t really party, I just sit at home.”
She kicked off her “The Staircase to Stardom Tour” in December and has various North America dates for this summer. This is just enough time to get sucked into the world of Hobert and get those tickets before they sell out, because while these venues may be small, her growing popularity sure isn’t.
These songs, paired with Hobert’s mismatched patterns and dance party performances, are a love letter to everyone who has ever felt like they were “too much.” The vulnerability takes a stand against the current trends in the industry that prioritize ideal body types and quiet personalities. Alternatively, Hobert embraces being human and normalizes being weird. But really, it’s not just about being weird or cringe. The album is about being authentically yourself, so put down the Instagram filters and just be you. At the end of the day there’s nobody better.
