In early 2021, as the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine gained momentum, California-born singer-songwriter Jensen McRae humorously envisioned a scenario in a tweet where Phoebe Bridgers would write a song about “hooking up in the car while waiting in line to get vaccinated at Dodger Stadium.” Although Bridgers didn’t pen such a song, McRae did. Her tweet gained traction, prompting her to share a video of herself performing an “early cover” of the fictional Bridgers track, which soon became “Immune.” McRae released the full version of the song within two weeks.
Melding a poignant social commentary with her flair for creative songwriting, McRae found herself at the confluence of public interest. “It was a perfect storm,” she recounted. The 27-year-old explained how she was parodying Bridgers, whose prominence was rapidly rising, at a time when the pandemic was on everyone’s mind due to global lockdowns. The song gained further visibility when Bridgers herself shared McRae’s video with the simple caption: “oh my god.”
Following the release, McRae launched her debut EP in 2021 and her first album in 2022. The momentum established her as a budding artist, leading to performances alongside Muna and Noah Kahan. By then, McRae had joined Dead Oceans, the very label that signed Bridgers. Her second album, “I Don’t Know How, But They Found Me!,” is scheduled for release this Friday. The album’s title nods to McRae’s favorite movie, “Back to The Future.” The line captures the essence of resilience, akin to her own experiences in her twenties, facing challenging events but emerging stronger each time.
McRae’s songwriting history is steeped in themes of resilience. Her first album, “Are You Happy Now?”, courageously addressed subjects like sexual predators and subtle racism while exploring identity, love, and growth. In one of her most popular tracks, “My Ego Dies in the End,” she ponders, “If I don’t write about it, was it really worth it?” She believes a claim by an unnamed source that by age 25, a writer has gleaned enough experience to fuel creativity for a lifetime. For McRae, that rings true; years of reflection have clarified her reflections.
“I Don’t Know How, But They Found Me!” is filled with pieces composed throughout McRae’s early adulthood. She finalized the record last spring with producer Brad Cook whose collaborations include work with Bon Iver, Waxahatchee, and Suki Waterhouse. Reflecting on their 10-day North Carolina recording session, Cook remarked on McRae’s formidable presence, noting her organizational acumen and her emotional and spiritual attunement. McRae equally credited Cook’s influence during what’s described as an enriching learning experience for them both.
Even before its full release in July 2024, a snippet of McRae’s song “Massachusetts” went viral on TikTok in 2023, gaining millions of views. While the collective online interest in “Immune” previously felt overwhelming, the response to “Massachusetts” puzzled McRae due to its divergence from the narrative scope she was crafting for the album. Despite myriad pleas for the full song, she hesitated, contemplating whether to shelve its release. Eventually, encouragement came from an unexpected quarter: Justin Bieber’s endorsement. McRae said with a chuckle, “When Justin Bieber posted about it, I was like, well, you forced my hand.”
McRae realized that “Massachusetts,” a song deeply rooted in memories that linger after a relationship ends, would serve as a fitting conclusion for her album. Producer Cook maintained the song’s authenticity through minimalist production, emphasizing McRae’s vocals and guitar. This approach characterized much of the album’s ethos; as Cook put it, “This whole record, I would say, is a lesson in getting out of the way of the song as much as you’re reinforcing it.”
Though McRae cannot exactly explain why “Massachusetts” resonates so deeply with audiences, Cook suggests it’s the intangible power of authenticity. Regardless, McRae remains disciplined in ensuring viral interest doesn’t derail her creative process, viewing decisions through the lens of artistic value and career strategy. Yet, fan reactions have illuminated how her personal narratives reach listeners, especially as she revisits the album with fresh perspective ahead of her tour.
“In moments of difficulty,” McRae reflected, “you intellectually realize you’re not alone. Yet, it feels isolating.” Reassessing her songs, she acknowledged the universality of her themes, realizing that her deeply personal emotions resonate because they mirror a shared human experience.