Jensen McRae, a 27-year-old singer-songwriter from Los Angeles, finds herself reflecting on a pivotal moment from her past therapy sessions that reshaped her approach to songwriting.
During her first session, she recounted discussing her sensitivity and overwhelming emotions, only to be confronted with a profound observation from her therapist: ‘You have yet to describe a feeling to me — everything you’ve described is a thought.’
This revelation, which McRae claims ‘destroyed’ her, emphasized the distinction between feelings, which she learned are rooted in the body, and thoughts that occupy the mind.
Having grown up in Woodland Hills, McRae’s musical journey began early, writing her first song at the tender age of eight.
As a teenager, music became her outlet for coping with the challenges she faced in the world.
Looking back at her early work, she now recognizes that while it may have been expressive, it lacked the rawness she has since embraced.
“I think I was trying to intellectualize my feelings to avoid being vulnerable,” she admits, highlighting her growth in understanding that emotional depth can coexist with intellectual rigor.
This evolution is exemplified in her latest album, ‘I Don’t Know How but They Found Me!’ released in April by the indie label Dead Oceans, which also features notable acts like Mitski and Phoebe Bridgers.
The album captures the unraveling of two romantic relationships through emotionally charged acoustic pop songs that explore intricate themes such as gender, privilege, and trauma.
One song, ‘Massachusetts,’ gained traction on TikTok and encapsulates the private world she shared with an ex, while ‘Let Me Be Wrong’ captures the desperation of an overachiever, proclaiming, ‘Something twisted in my chest says I’m good but not the best.’
Another track, ‘I Can Change Him,’ reveals her struggle with a savior complex, a song she initially considered leaving off the album due to its vulnerable admission.
“I think of myself as an evolved and self-actualized woman,” she laughs, reflecting on the embarrassment of once believing love could transform someone.
McRae’s songwriting does not shy away from grappling with trauma.
In ‘Daffodils,’ she addresses a disturbing experience, singing about a man who ‘steals base while I sleep,’ while also infusing humor into her music.
“I’d like to blame the drugs,” she quips in the track ‘I Don’t Do Drugs,’ showcasing her ability to blend humor with darker themes.
When asked whether she prefers to make someone laugh or cry, McRae emphasizes the importance of humor in her identity, stating, ‘I’m always proud when I make someone cry, but more important to me than being the sad girl is that I’m funny.’
Her candidness extends to her experiences on stage, where she recently performed at El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles.
Before introducing ‘Savannah,’ she shared an uplifting message with the audience: ‘You are not defined by the worst thing that ever happened to you.’
Patrice Rushen, an esteemed musician and mentor during McRae’s time at USC’s Thornton School of Music, praised her for her gifted abilities and her keen storytelling through songwriting.
McRae, who grew up in a close-knit family with a Black father and Jewish mother, often jokes about her upbringing, describing herself as both a goody two-shoes and a teacher’s pet.
The pressure of excelling was instilled in her from an early age, as her father taught her the necessity of being ‘twice as good to get half as far’ due to his own life experiences.
Attending Harvard-Westlake, one of the few Black students, she felt the desire to prove herself amidst the challenge of being underestimated.
This sense of ambition and self-confidence is now a source of humor for McRae, who relishes in the idea of proving skeptics wrong.
Her endeavors in music blossomed at the University of Southern California, where she was inspired by songwriters like James Taylor and Taylor Swift.
After her freshman year, she played her first gig at Los Angeles’ Hotel Cafe but humorously omitted telling her mom, fearing it would be an embarrassing experience.
Her breakthrough came with her song ‘White Boy’ at age 20, which resonated with her feelings of invisibility and left her overwhelmed with pride, despite feeling unable to perform it initially.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, McRae’s social media presence peaked when she tweeted a humorous idea about a song that caught the attention of Phoebe Bridgers, leading to her writing ‘Immune.’
In crafting ‘I Don’t Know How but They Found Me!’, McRae sought to create a richer sound than that of her folk-inflected debut album, collaborating with producer Brad Cook in North Carolina.
Together, they infused the songs with elements reminiscent of early 2000s pop, taking inspiration from artists like Avril Lavigne and Ashlee Simpson.
McRae’s vocal talents shine as she conveys deep emotional vulnerability in tracks like ‘Tuesday,’ a stark ballad addressing betrayal, and during her live rendition of Bonnie Raitt’s ‘I Can’t Make You Love Me.’
Her education at USC introduced her to innovative songwriting techniques, such as ‘toggling,’ which requires alternating between external scenes and internal emotions to create depth.
“Each verse starts with setting the scene before delving into my feelings about it,” she says, demonstrating her thoughtful approach to lyricism.
McRae excels in immersing listeners in vivid scenarios, such as in ‘Savannah,’ beginning with a striking line that draws the audience into her narrative.
Having honed her craft, she often discards initial lines for more impactful phrases, showing her dedication to clarity and emotional resonance in her work.
As she navigates the turbulent waters of an artist’s life, touring presents its own set of challenges.
Diagnosed with a thyroid condition and chronic hives, McRae’s health issues have necessitated a strict diet, making touring physically demanding.
She recently used TikTok to highlight her experience with chronic illness, aiming to raise awareness and foster visibility.
Despite experiencing the challenges of fame and public recognition, especially from fans who may intrude on her privacy, she embraces social media as a platform for connecting with her audience.
“I love being on my phone,” she admits, appreciating its role in building her fanbase.
However, she also acknowledges the pressure of public perception and the fine line between private identity and public persona.
At one point, she temporarily deleted TikTok during Trump’s administration, only to find the break refreshing.
Reflecting on her experience away from the platform, she discovered a newfound sense of normalcy without constant digital engagement.
“Probably, yeah, I felt better,” she states, asserting the importance of balancing social media use with personal well-being.
As McRae continues to navigate her burgeoning career, her commitment to emotional honesty and incisive storytelling sets her apart in today’s music landscape, promising a bright future for this talented artist.
image source from：latimes
