Blab Music
Actor Paul Mescal Co-Writes Gracie Abrams New Song "Imaginary Friend"
Actor Paul Mescal has earned a co‑writer credit on the opening track of Gracie Abrams’ upcoming third studio album, "Daughter From Hell," slated for release on July 17 2026. The collaboration first surfaced on Abrams’ appearance on the New York Times’ Popcast podcast, where she explained that the partnership sprouted naturally while she was crafting the record.
"I was working on the album and realized I didn’t have enough ‘strummers’—people who could bring that melodic touch," Abrams said on the podcast. She added that she began swapping lines with Mescal, who was then her boyfriend, and the exchange evolved into a full‑blown songwriting session. The result is a song that delves into the ache of addressing a vanished lover, with lyrics that paint a conversation with an imagined figure.
"Imaginary Friend" will open the tracklist for "Daughter From Hell," which Abrams announced earlier this year and will be distributed by Interscope Records. The album follows her 2024 release, "The Secret of Us," which debuted at No. 2 on the US Billboard 200 and yielded singles such as "Risk" and "Close to You." Abrams has also performed as an opening act for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in 2023‑24, and her music is frequently described as introspective, indie‑folk.
Born February 2 1996, Mescal is best known as an Irish actor whose breakout role in the BBC/Hulu series "Normal People" earned him a BAFTA Award and an Emmy nomination. Since then he has appeared in films such as "The Lost Daughter," "Aftersun," and "All of Us Strangers," and has won a Laurence Olivier Award for his stage work in "A Streetcar Named Desire." While acting remains his primary pursuit, Mescal has expressed a passion for music; his sister Nell is a rising folk musician.
Abrams’ partnership with Mescal fits into a broader pattern of cross‑genre collaborations. She has previously worked with Noah Kahan, Taylor Swift, and the band The 1975. The songwriting process for "Imaginary Friend" was described by Abrams as informal, with the pair trading ideas over time rather than convening in a formal writing session. The song’s theme of longing and imagined conversation dovetails with Abrams’ broader lyrical focus on relationships and emotional vulnerability.
"Daughter From Hell" is part of Abrams’ ongoing evolution as a recording artist. The album will be released by Interscope, which signed her in 2019. Her prior releases—"Good Riddance" (2023) and "The Secret of Us" (2024)—have solidified her presence in the pop‑indie market, and she has earned a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist as well as an American Music Award for New Artist of the Year.
The collaboration with Mescal is notable for bringing together a high‑profile actor and a rising singer‑songwriter in a partnership that was not initially planned. According to the sources, the alliance was a natural extension of their personal relationship and a shared interest in songwriting. The track’s inclusion on "Daughter From Hell" demonstrates Abrams’ willingness to experiment with different songwriting partners and musical styles.
As of the latest reports, the album will be available on streaming platforms and in physical formats on July 17 2026. Abrams has scheduled promotional appearances and a series of live performances to support the release, though specific tour dates have not yet been announced. The collaboration with Mescal is expected to generate additional media interest, given his prominence in film and Abrams’ growing profile in pop music.
In summary, Paul Mescal’s co‑writing credit on Gracie Abrams’ "Imaginary Friend" marks a rare crossover between acting and songwriting. The track appears on Abrams’ upcoming album "Daughter From Hell," which is slated for release on July 17 2026 through Interscope Records. The partnership emerged from a casual songwriting exchange between the two artists and reflects Abrams’ continued exploration of intimate, narrative songwriting. Further details about the album’s promotion and touring schedule will be released in the coming weeks.
"I was working on the album and realized I didn’t have enough ‘strummers’—people who could bring that melodic touch," Abrams said on the podcast. She added that she began swapping lines with Mescal, who was then her boyfriend, and the exchange evolved into a full‑blown songwriting session. The result is a song that delves into the ache of addressing a vanished lover, with lyrics that paint a conversation with an imagined figure.
"Imaginary Friend" will open the tracklist for "Daughter From Hell," which Abrams announced earlier this year and will be distributed by Interscope Records. The album follows her 2024 release, "The Secret of Us," which debuted at No. 2 on the US Billboard 200 and yielded singles such as "Risk" and "Close to You." Abrams has also performed as an opening act for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in 2023‑24, and her music is frequently described as introspective, indie‑folk.
Born February 2 1996, Mescal is best known as an Irish actor whose breakout role in the BBC/Hulu series "Normal People" earned him a BAFTA Award and an Emmy nomination. Since then he has appeared in films such as "The Lost Daughter," "Aftersun," and "All of Us Strangers," and has won a Laurence Olivier Award for his stage work in "A Streetcar Named Desire." While acting remains his primary pursuit, Mescal has expressed a passion for music; his sister Nell is a rising folk musician.
Abrams’ partnership with Mescal fits into a broader pattern of cross‑genre collaborations. She has previously worked with Noah Kahan, Taylor Swift, and the band The 1975. The songwriting process for "Imaginary Friend" was described by Abrams as informal, with the pair trading ideas over time rather than convening in a formal writing session. The song’s theme of longing and imagined conversation dovetails with Abrams’ broader lyrical focus on relationships and emotional vulnerability.
"Daughter From Hell" is part of Abrams’ ongoing evolution as a recording artist. The album will be released by Interscope, which signed her in 2019. Her prior releases—"Good Riddance" (2023) and "The Secret of Us" (2024)—have solidified her presence in the pop‑indie market, and she has earned a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist as well as an American Music Award for New Artist of the Year.
The collaboration with Mescal is notable for bringing together a high‑profile actor and a rising singer‑songwriter in a partnership that was not initially planned. According to the sources, the alliance was a natural extension of their personal relationship and a shared interest in songwriting. The track’s inclusion on "Daughter From Hell" demonstrates Abrams’ willingness to experiment with different songwriting partners and musical styles.
As of the latest reports, the album will be available on streaming platforms and in physical formats on July 17 2026. Abrams has scheduled promotional appearances and a series of live performances to support the release, though specific tour dates have not yet been announced. The collaboration with Mescal is expected to generate additional media interest, given his prominence in film and Abrams’ growing profile in pop music.
In summary, Paul Mescal’s co‑writing credit on Gracie Abrams’ "Imaginary Friend" marks a rare crossover between acting and songwriting. The track appears on Abrams’ upcoming album "Daughter From Hell," which is slated for release on July 17 2026 through Interscope Records. The partnership emerged from a casual songwriting exchange between the two artists and reflects Abrams’ continued exploration of intimate, narrative songwriting. Further details about the album’s promotion and touring schedule will be released in the coming weeks.
