"You Signed Up For This" is Maisie's debut album, released in 2021. She'd released a few EPs and a soundtrack for a TV show but YSUFT is special because it was her first project with Ed Sheeran's record label; Gingerbread Man Records. I became a maise fan somewhere around this time. I remember getting a recommendation for "Psycho", one of the singles of the album, on YouTube and loving it. But when I became a proper fan, the album was already out and the release cycle was over.  I don't think I ever properly did a full album listen. But I am now! Just in time for my twentieth birthday too!

You Signed Up For This - Maisie has a knack for opening tracks. She goes into the song with the intention of it being an opener for the album and she always delivers. This song establishes the tone of the album and immediately showcases Maisie's personality. There's inside jokes and references to her life, and they don't feel forced and they're not that hard to understand. This song means so much to me as I'm coming up on twenty, because I already relate so hard. I'm usually upset, I don't have my driver's license, I'm obsessed with death, I'm short. I am going to be listening to this song ALL YEAR. This is my YSUFT year.

I'm Trying (Not Friends) - The ULTIMATE bitter girl song. The start of Maisie's obsession with being bitter and she's so real for this. I've screamed this at all three of the concerts of hers I've been to. The niche references to her life continue. "Calling guys with guitars at the cemetery, just me, okay?" will never not be iconic and it makes me think of Cemetery by Missy Higgins. And THE BRIDGE!! Iconic and so fun to scream. I love this song so much.

John Hughes Movie - At her concerts, Maisie does this lovely speech before this song about how its been adopted by the queer community and she's so glad its reached so many people. Its really sweet. I didn't get a video of it the first concert but then this year I made sure to film it because it made me cry the first time I heard her talking about it. For someone who isn't entirely sure she's gay, I sure do resonate with the queer community. It felt like Maisie was talking directly to me. So this song has a new meaning to me, just as it has a new meaning to Maisie too. For that reason, I can never not be biased about this song and I just love it.

Outdoor Pool - This song is simple and sweet and one of the only songs on the album that's not based on Maisie's real life. Honestly, don't have a lot to say about it. I love it though. 

Love Him, I Don't - "met you through my favourite cousin" is my favourite line in the song but there are a lot of good contenders, I just love that Maisie also has a favourite cousin. This song feels very nostalgic and sad, especially in the chorus. I find myself yearning for something that I've never had. This song was definitely one of the first Maisie songs I heard, when I still didn't really know who she was but I was getting video recommendations and seeing her on my tiktok. I distinctly remember seeing a tiktok promotional video for this song. Its one of those songs that feels like you've heard it before, in a dream or another life.

Psycho - I'm like 80% sure this was the first Maisie song I heard. I watched the music video for it. She co-wrote this song with Ed Sheeran which is so funny to me because I'd love to Ed Sheeran getting into the headspace of a bitter twenty-year-old being wronged by a man. This song is classic Maisie. She thrives in angry pop music. I also love the vague double meaning in the chorus by the way she phrases "you still call me, psycho"; is she calling him psycho or is he calling her psycho?? This song is so catchy and fun and I don't think about it much so I forget that I love it.

Boy - Another Maisie classic. The omitting of the word "fuck" was a genius choice because it sounds like she's saying "boy" is the insult. Plus, it makes for a great crowd chant to leave that gap for fans to scream at concerts. Maisie's music is just SO FUN. 

Hollow - Probably one of my least-listened-to songs from this album, tied with Tough Act. Listening to it now, I realise I've definitely under-appreciated the song. I tend to accidentally overlook Maisie's sad songs in favour of her more upbeat songs. This song is beautiful though and I will definitely make more of an effort to listen to it more. I love the instrumentation especially omg.

Villain - I cover this song when I play my cafe gigs. I've related to the song a few times too. I love this song a lot, the lyrics, the instrumentation, everything. Such a fun theme, even if it is sad.

Brooklyn - This song is such a cute love letter to Maisie's twin sister, Ellen. Its just so full of love and I love how personal it is whilst also somehow being relatable. For me, it makes me think of my cousin, because I feel like she's basically my sister. In an unreleased song snippet, Maisie calls Ellen her "hotter sister" which initially paints the picture that she might feel insecure about her looks when compared to her sister, which still could be true, but Brooklyn suggests that Maisie looks up to Ellen in such a selfless way and only wants the best for her. (Do you get what I'm saying? I feel like I phrased it wrong. Oh well.)

Elvis Song - I love the imagery in this song. The nostalgia, the yearning. I deeply relate to associating people with music. And also not being able to let go. Also at this point in the album, I'd like to point out that I'm loving the production on all these songs. Whoever did it (i'm too lazy to check) did a really good job. 

Talking To Strangers - Another one of my cover songs!!! This song always reminds me of my online friends <33 One of my favourite things you guys say is "i told my friend about you", whether its my music or you brought me up because Maisie came up or anything. The fact that random people know I exist and know some weird random fact about me because of you guys. I just think its beautiful and this song just makes me appreciate all of you.

Volcano - I love Maisie's anger in this. "I'll throw you in a volcano, I hope death is sudden" is iconic. Also I'm pretty sure Gretta Ray does backing vocals on this track so shout out Gretta!! <33 Also I like in the outro when she stops saying the word "nothing" and actually says nothing. Very nice tough.

Tough Act - Like Hollow, this song is actually so beautiful, I'm just an idiot who gets distracted by the boppy songs. This song is so devastatingly sad actually. And a perfect closer because its a song about finality in a relationship ending. Acceptance but still being so sad about it because the relationship was so good. Ugh, I love Maisie. Her vocals in this are SO GOOD OMG.

I didn't realise I knew this album pretty well, actually. Even "Tough Act" and "Hollow", I still knew most of the lyrics. Not only are all the songs in this album actually perfect, the tracklist order is great too. Good ups and downs and solid start and end. I think if I had been a proper Maisie fan when this album was coming out, it would be my favourite. Maybe. Its really great but The Good Witch still has top place in my heart so far. I'm really glad I did this though, I've gained a new perspective and appreciation for the album.