As the COVID-19 vaccine began to be distributed more widely in early 2021, California-raised singer-songwriter Jensen McRae humorously tweeted that Phoebe Bridgers would likely release a song in two years about "hooking up in the car while waiting in line to get vaccinated at Dodger Stadium." Although Bridgers did not create such a song, McRae took it upon herself to write one. Within two weeks of the tweet going viral, she released “Immune,” a track inspired by Bridgers' contemplative style, after sharing a video of herself performing a preemptive cover of the song.

Describing the experience, McRae, now 27, stated, "It was a perfect storm. I was parodying Phoebe Bridgers, who was becoming world-famous at that exact moment. ... I was also writing about something that everyone was thinking about constantly due to the lockdowns." Bridgers acknowledged McRae's effort by reposting the video, expressing her excitement with a simple, "oh my god."

The release of "Immune" marked the beginning of McRae’s artistic journey, leading to her debut EP and album in 2021 and 2022, respectively. This success enabled her to tour with bands like Muna and Noah Kahan. In a significant career development, McRae signed with Dead Oceans, the same record label that represents Bridgers. Her sophomore album, "I Don't Know How, But They Found Me!," is slated for release on Friday.

The album name is a nod to the iconic film “Back to The Future,” which is also McRae's favorite movie. It references a moment when scientist Doc Brown, just before facing danger, says a line that encapsulates the essence of unpredictability. McRae reflected on this, saying, "That to me sort of is what my 20s have been like. There are all these events that are happening that feel like they should take me out, but I just keep standing up anyway. That’s kind of the narrative of the album."

McRae's songwriting has long embraced the theme of resilience. Her debut album, "Are You Happy Now?," tackled serious issues, including sexual predators and racist microaggressions, while weaving in poetic reflections on identity, love, and growth. One of the standout tracks, the ballad "My Ego Dies in the End," features the poignant line, "If I don’t write about it, was it really worth it?” McRae emphasized the value of life experiences in honing her writing, declaring, "By the age of 25, you’ve experienced enough to have writing material for the rest of your life."

"I Don't Know How But They Found Me!" comprises songs McRae penned during her early 20s, capturing the emotional aftermath of relationships. She finalized the album last spring in North Carolina with producer Brad Cook, who has worked with notable artists such as Bon Iver and Waxahatchee. McRae described their ten-day collaboration as “a master class,” with Cook expressing his admiration for her talent and organization.

A video of McRae singing the first verse of "Massachusetts" went viral on TikTok in the fall of 2023, drawing millions of views before the song's full release in July 2024. While the initial hype surrounding "Immune" felt overwhelming for her, McRae found the popularity of “Massachusetts” confusing for different reasons, especially as it seemed separate from the narrative she was crafting for her album.

However, after receiving significant support, including a nod from Justin Bieber, McRae decided to include "Massachusetts" as the conclusion of her album's story. The song reflects on the enduring memories tied to a past relationship. Cook aimed to maintain minimal production on the track, allowing McRae’s vocals and acoustic guitar to take center stage, reinforcing the message of the song.

Though McRae has struggled to understand why certain songs resonate more than others, Cook attributed this phenomenon to authenticity, stating, "The beauty of authenticity is it’s just so powerful that you don’t know why." Regardless, McRae remains committed to her artistic vision, focusing on her personal desires and career goals above fleeting viral moments. She acknowledges that while her music may strike a chord with listeners, it ultimately stems from her own experiences: "Of course, I’m not the only person who's gone through these feelings."