There’s a special kind of magic in music that feels like the artist has been a fly on the wall of your mind and turned your personal story into lyrics of their own. But Rachel Grae’s debut album, Journal No. 1, is more than just a collection of songs shaped by the chapters of her life (and ours) – it’s a powerful, soul-baring experience that leaves a lasting imprint.
From the very first note, she invites us into her world, sharing stories of vulnerability, growth and empowerment. And with a voice that feels like you’re walking through the gates of heaven and lyrics that touch you on the deepest level, Rachel has turned personal journal entries into the best kind of musical therapy we could have asked for. It’s not just her story – it’s ours, too.
When you press play on Journal No.1, it takes you on a rollercoaster ride through the diary of a young woman who has been through it. The album masterfully balances haunting ballads with uplifting anthems, showing off her emotional depth and incredible vocal ability. Each track feels intentional, put together to create a journey of self-discovery and resilience. But what makes this album truly special isn’t just the music – it’s Rachel herself. Her authenticity shines through every note, proving that she’s not just an artist but a source of hope and light for her fans around the world.
If you got to watch this talented young artist grow into a truly exceptional and confident young woman, consider yourself lucky and blessed. I remember the moment Outsider just popped up on my feed one day and made me go: “that’s literally me”, and suddenly she had me locked in and I never looked back. The song feels like reading my own thoughts I never had the courage to say out loud, every word hitting emotions I thought were mine alone. Rachel has a way of making every song feel like a conversation, a reminder that we are all going through it, together.
To fully enjoy this album, you need to listen to it in chronological order to experience the story the way it happened, chapter for chapter. Each song feels like a step in a larger journey. There are highs and lows, moments that might bring tears and others that bring clarity. By the end, you might feel overwhelmed but you will feel understood. It’s not always easy to describe how someone’s music makes you feel, but what matters is the impact it has on anyone who is open enough to let it capture them.
Personally, I have my favorite songs – that do occasionally change – but in my professional and personal opinion Journal No. 1 is a no-skips album and whoever thinks otherwise needs to get their taste buds checked. While each track connects to my life’s chapters in its own ways, there are a few – besides Outsider – that I want to highlight.
Hope You’re Proud – written for anyone who has ever lost someone and would do anything for just five more minutes with them. Every single time this song starts playing and the lyrics unfold, it reaches that hole in my heart that was left empty after the loss of someone whose love was unconditional and whose heart was simply too big for this world.
Everyone grieves differently, but songs like this one can create such a place of comfort during the most vulnerable times and simply make you feel less alone. Music like Rachel’s breaks you apart, helps you rearrange the pieces and leads you to your journey of healing at the same time. That truly is a testament to her brilliant mind and remarkable voice.
Enough Of Me is one of those songs that gets you in your feels. It captures the ache of feeling like your best is never enough for someone you care about. The raw lyrics cut straight to the heart, creating a deep emotional connection with anyone who has ever questioned their worth in a friend- or relationship. It doesn’t just tell a story, it makes you feel the weight of it.
Do Better was my top song on Spotify this year and rightfully so. It’s a powerful anthem about being wrongfully accused in a relationship, but deciding to take the high road instead of descending to their pathetic level of a fabricated truth. How good does it feel to be able to say:
You keep doing you and I’ll do better?
This is definitely one of those tunes everyone enjoys screaming in their car on full blast.
And now let’s get to the one song that will make most of us go: “I’ve been there and it sucks”. While Rachel has a true gift when it comes to writing songs that hit you at your core, she has reached an even deeper level with If I’ll Ever Win. Listening to this track feels like hearing your own thoughts put into music. It paints such a vivid picture of deep insecurity, capturing the constant haunting battle with self-worth and the emotional exhaustion that comes from constantly fighting against oneself. The way Rachel put so much truth, vulnerability and real emotions into this incredibly well written song is a reflection of her beautiful gift she has been sharing with the world.
If you know Rachel, you know that she poured every ounce of herself into this project, and the result is a masterpiece that uplifts and empowers. The album is not just music, she’s given us a piece of her heart and it’s impossible not to feel endlessly proud of her for all she’s achieved. Her voice is truly one of a kind with a tone so unique that you can’t ever forget it and her heart holds so much love and kindness despite all the hardships that could have dimmed her light. It’s quite the opposite. Rachel’s presence is one of the brightest I have ever seen and you just know how much goodness her heart carries which is reflected in every song she’s ever written.
Music has a way of holding up a mirror to our souls, and Rachel Grae has gifted us a reflection we might have never been brave enough to face on our own. Journal No. 1 is a safe space, a companion for the good days and the bad and a testament to the healing power of vulnerability. Rachel’s voice carries the weight of her story and the stories we all share, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, we are never truly alone. It’s a piece of art that doesn’t just touch the heart; it stays there, and for that and her, we can only be grateful for eternity.
ROARA Magazine 