Maisie Peters is in her sophomore album era, and she’s officially not holding back. “The Good Witch” is a bold, honest, personal, and reflective record that takes listeners into her brain right now. This 15 track collection was written on the road and in-between the release of her debut album “You Signed Up For This”, and is an immediate reaction to everything that was happening in her life at the time. It feels very poignant, and is the epitome of a coming of age record as it’s written in real time and has this earnest growth and freeing element to it. 

Her songwriting has never been stronger, and whilst it may be some of her most detailed and personal tracks yet, they still feel ultimately universal and relatable. It’s also been created with her live show in mind as the sonical footprint is even bolder and louder than before, and you’ll find yourself eagerly anticipating the moment you get to scream these lyrics out at one of her shows. 

This record has been created to listen from start to finish, and it really should be respected that way. The opening title track is a perfect introduction to the introspective world she’s created, and it feels as magical and whimsical as the title portrays. But I wanted to break down the record a little bit and give you a little taste of what you can expect with 5 essential Maisie Peters tracks on “The Good Witch”.

1. Run

Men aren’t shit, and we should really all run away from them when they try to make their way into our lives. And Maisie Peters has really created one of the best “stay away from me” anthems ever, and we are going to be singing these lyrics for a long time to come. 

Favourite lyrics: “I’ve seen some flags but the reddest one is if a man says that he wants you in his life forever, run”

“If he says he’s real, he’s not. If he makes you smile, he’s blocked”

2. BSC

BSC is for any one that is a little bit unhinged. This is our song to scream at any moment we need a little bit of serotonin. It begins with a sonical punch, and truly feels like a live song throughout its full duration. 

Favourite lyrics: “You think I’m alright, but I’m actually bloody motherfucking batshit crazy”

“I am both Kathy Bates and Stephen King”

“I can write you out the way I wrote you in”

3. Body Better

This is the song that kickstarted this whole new era, and it still remains to have some of my favourite Maisie Peters lyrics ever. The alliteration between “better body” and “body better” is perfect. And the heavy emotions behind the break-up reflection is so real. And she ties all of that together with this big bouncy guitar-pop production.

Favourite lyrics: “Loving you was easy, that’s why it hurts now. The worst way to love somebody is to watch them love somebody else and it work out”

“I can’t help thinking that she’s got a better body. Has she got a body better than mine?”

“Was I just an idea you liked? A convenient use of time with obedient blue eyes”

4. The Band And I

Artists always say they right about what is happening in their lives at the current time, but I question that as if they really did we would have more songs about touring. But Maisie Peters has really decided to give you an insight to what touring life is like with this little ode to her and her band on their US headlining tour. It’s a track full of little supercuts from their trip, and it feels so cinematic because of that. 

Favourite lyrics: “Oh, it was letting go of everything but you. It was the band and I on a twelve-bed bus. If we’re livin’ the dream, I hope we never wake up”

“My drummer fell for a girl in a cookie shop. He said he’d make a move and then he went with, “Excuse me?”. Came a boy and left a man”

5. Wendy

This track feels really deeply rooted in early Maisie Peters material. It’s a song I feel like she was always meant to write, and after you hear it for the first time it will quickly become a favourite of yours. It’s a song that is very intimate in storytelling but soars through it’s production and her stunning vocal delivery.

Favourite lyrics: “Behind every lost boy, there’s always a Wendy”

“But it gets old being forever twenty. And what about my wings? What about Wendy?”