Are You Happy Now? by Jensen McRae

Less is more

By: Nikhil Kumaran

Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Jensen McRae delivers us her alternative/indie-folk debut album “Are you Happy Now?” 

The album is sweet and intimate. Structurally, McRae’s songs aren’t complicated, which juxtaposes beautifully with her deep, meaningful, and specifically personal lyrics.

 Her vocal prowess is definitely a focus in her music. She flows seamlessly from her airy falsetto back into her rich alto voice where she belts with such power and compassion.

Songs like “Good Legs” and “My Ego Dies At The End” hit the listener with a calming lull of nostalgia. You can hear strong inspiration from Taylor Swift and Phoebe Bridgers in the way she sings. This album is perfect for a drive home on a rainy day. 

Though most songs are more easy-going and relaxed, “With The Lights On” turns up the energy a little bit with a bouncing bassline accompanied by tasteful bongos and other percussion instruments.

“White Boy” is a great example of how deep McRae can get with her music. She sings about the disappointment of being ignored romantically as a woman of color and the microaggressions that follow. 

In this album, it’s as if every song is a story that you can relate to, at least just a little bit. The instrumentation is simple but doesn’t lack quality anywhere. She has such a way with metaphors within her lyrics that leave the listener thinking about her songs well after they were listened to. Here, less is more and McRae really shows it through the music.