Deep Cuts

Percy reads a lukewarm review for Caroline’s second album, Strong & Wrong, and finds out that its feted lead single is called “Britpop Night.” The review criticizes Joe’s lyricism, which is worse in some songs than in others. The review makes Percy livid, especially when she realizes that the lyric from “Britpop Night” was stolen directly from her blog. She is confused by Joe’s plagiarism but also upset that she hadn’t stopped him from writing bad lyrics for the other songs. In an interview, Joe claims that he experienced writer’s block because of a girl. Instead of elaborating, he explains that the creative principle behind Caroline’s second album is that he gave himself permission to make more mistakes.

Later that day, “Britpop Night” drops online. The song is as exhilarating as Percy hoped it would be. She wonders how the song might have changed if she had accepted Joe’s offer to help with the album. Zoe advises Percy to wait until the full album comes out before confronting Joe.

On release day, Percy buys the album and learns that she is not credited as a cowriter; instead, she is listed under “Special Thanks.” Percy calls Joe at once to express her anger.