Was it Luck or Something?

finally ranking the tracks on hilary duff's new album

It’s been ten years since Hilary Duff graced us with an album. Her last effort, Breathe In. Breathe Out. was a smash hit in my household¹, but beyond a couple of videos, she chose not to promote the project. A tragedy, since I would have lost my mind screaming Confetti in the middle of a crowd.

But whatever her reasoning was for focusing on acting, I’m glad she’s finally decided to make her musical resurgence. And unlike the last time, she’s fully committed to making sure this project thrives.

Starting with the intimate shows, where queues of hundreds of thousands of people fought to snag spots in venues that could hold a quarter of the demand². I loved watching the videos of her surprise at the response to her comeback, as if she isn’t the millennial queen.

She’s stopped by talk shows to perform the singles, appeared on podcasts, dropped music videos and merch, and finally, scheduled a full tour. All while leaning into the nostalgia of her older work and poking fun at herself.

As for the album itself, it isn’t trying to be anything flashy. Hilary is aware of her vocal range and appears content to keep to it. Her husband is credited as co-writer and producer, and it’s clearly a passion project for the pair. I haven’t listened to much of his work, but I’m assuming he’s responsible for the beats that appear here. They tend to blend into each other at times, but once again, they do their job well enough for what they’re trying to accomplish.

More importantly, Hilary appears to be confident as an artist. She’s having fun and providing something for the fans, and sometimes that’s all you can ask for.

With that said, let’s get into my thoughts on the eleven tracks that make up luck.. or something.

Enjoy!

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11. Growing Up

Maybe this would have hit me harder if I’d been allowed to listen to Blink-182 as a kid. Instead, I had no clue that Hilary borrowed the chorus from Dammit until a comparison video popped up in my feed. Don’t get me wrong, this is a very sweet and nostalgic peek into childhood friendships crossing into adulthood, but it’s just not for me.

Favorite Lyrics: Handshakes and tattoos / Heartbreaks and bad moods / First kiss and hard truths / Family you can choose

10. You, From The Honeymoon

With the timeline of her being twenty-three in the opening line, I’m guessing this song is about her previous marriage and the ups and downs that came with it. Like most of the tracks on the album, the beat and her vocals blend in a dreamy quality as she begs to go back to a time where things were simple - their honeymoon.

Unfortunately, when there isn’t much variation in tracks, things tend to fall between the cracks, and this is one of those casualties for me.

Favorite Lyrics: Let’s drink too much, put on the Japanese House / It’ll help us forget what we were bitching about

9. Tell Me That Won’t Happen

I know she’s using this to reflect on her relationship, but I feel like it can also apply to any aspect of life. As someone in their thirties, time feels like it’s flashing by, while there’s also so much of it left. We are taught to look for careers, settle down, and be content for the rest of our days, but it’s intimidating to commit to one thing and expect it to keep us happy forever.

Having Hilary voice that she’s unsure of whether there’s anything left or if this is as good as it gets is comforting - even if she’s looking at it through the scope of her marriage. I can still twist it to apply to my own fears. And we love that.

Favorite Lyrics: I’m worried that I felt everything I’ll ever feel that I won’t again

8. We Don’t Talk

Okay, it hurts to have confirmation about the long-rumored rift between the Duff sisters. Their last public outing was in 2019, and there have been so many theories about their distance since. Politics, their significant others not getting along, and Haylie being an anti-vaxxer (allegedly) have all seemed to come to a head with both the release of this song and Haylie siding with Ashley Tisdale³ in the Mom Group discourse. It’s messy, it’s sad, and hearing the longing in Hilary’s voice on this track tugs on my heartstrings.

What’s surprising is that none of the reasons people were speculating are addressed as the cause of the rift. Instead, Hilary cites jealousy and claims to be baffled by the way she’s been cut off. It sounds like she’s tried to reach out, but it’s radio silence on her sister’s end. The uncertainty is felt throughout the lyrics, and as someone close to their siblings, I can only imagine how tough it’s been for her over the past couple of years.

Also, I’m not sure if it’s been confirmed that there’s an interpolation of Somebody That I Used to Know beneath the main chords surrounding the chorus, but I can totally hear it.

Favorite Lyrics: ‘Cause we come from the same home, the same blood / A different combination, but the same lock

7. Holiday Party

Obsessed with this song coming to life because of a dream that Hilary crashed out over. Completely relatable. I also love that she’s like, there is no one hotter than my husband, obviously everyone wants him and is just waiting for the right moment to pounce!

This entire thing is a vibe, though, and there’s something about the music that makes it feel retro. Like, I can totally picture the holiday party occurring in the 70s or somewhere where the girl in the dream is wearing blue eyeshadow.

Favorite Lyrics: In my imagination / She’s there with her eyes so starry

6. The Optimist

This is the coolest song on the album. The music is mystical and alluring, and the imagery immediately sucks you into the story. I was not prepared for the chorus to kick in and reveal that she wrote this about her strained relationship with her father. It must have been therapeutic to get this out there, and I’m proud of her for it.

It’s also a perfect emotional attack on the people pleasers out there.

Favorite Lyrics: I was an emotional architect / Who knew your dimensions more than you

5. Future Tripping

One of the biggest characters in these songs is Hilary’s insecurity. Consistently, anxiety gets the best of her, and most of the time, it’s about her relationship. I’m assuming that’s normal for couples in long-term relationships, but I’m also like, girl, I hope you’re doing alright!

Here, she fully admits that she’s watching for signs that things aren’t going well and spiraling with scenarios that haven’t even happened. But in the most upbeat way you could imagine. And the chorus is vague enough to belt out no matter what the crisis is.

Plus, she’s built in a clapping moment that is going to boost my serotonin when I see her live in July.

Favorite Lyrics: I’m worried about shit that hasn’t happened / Entertaining every doubt, oh, here I go again

4. Roommates

Are the lyrics cringy? Yes. Do the drums sound like they came straight from the Anti-Hero recording session? Uh-huh. But this was a brilliant choice as the second single from the album. It’s catchy, it’s fun, and it perfectly sums up what she’s trying to accomplish with this album.

The music video also feels like the spiritual big sister to Come Clean, and I’m here for it.

Favorite Lyrics: I only want the beginning, I don’t want the end / Want the part where you say, “Goddamn”

3. Mature

This was the lead single for a reason. It’s scathing while not taking itself too seriously. It gives people something to speculate on. And it’s just a straight-up banger. She isn’t holding her punches as she calls out how pathetic this man was and probably still is.

Hilary has referred to it as a conversation between her older and younger self, where she’s letting the younger version know that they’re okay now, and once again, I love that this is how she chose to start her newest music era.

Favorite Lyrics: Hid my car at Carbon Beach so I wasn’t seen at yours / You knew better of course

2. Weather For Tennis

You all know I’m a sucker for a twisted love song. The way she taunts her partner here is delicious, and honestly, the only way to open the album.

Favorite Lyrics: You calling me batshit’s the fastest antibiotic for thinking / You’re different this time

1. Adult Size Medium

While Weather for Tennis is the perfect opener, this song was destined to be a closer. It’s reminiscent and hopeful, while fully embracing the uncertainty of life. I love how the music builds and how we end with the album title as the final lyric. It ties the entire thing together beautifully.

Favorite Lyrics: I’m waking up to a dream sequence / Sometimes I can’t see me in it

1. As was anything she touched, honestly.

2. I’m bad at math, but I do know that there were 117,654 people in front of me when I tried to get tickets to New York, and the venue could only hold like 4,000.

3. I’m never calling her Ashley French, sorry!