Rachel Grae released her next single today, “Good Side,” which explores the challenges posed by social media and the dichotomy it creates within its users’ personalities. Rachel uses this song to expose that everyone, even her, has an edited side they show to the world online, and an uncompromised version behind the screen that represents each user’s true self. The timing of this release could not be more perfect, coinciding with the release of Rachel’s feature on MTV’s Becoming a Popstar.
Rachel explained that “‘Good Side’ is about how harmful social media can be. Most times, when we are scrolling through our feeds, we forget that we are seeing a filtered version of other people’s lives.” Especially after being on TV, Rachel knows the harmful realities of facades, and not showing the world one’s true self. “I wrote this song to remind everyone that social media is just one big highlight reel. If you have ever compared yourself to someone online, please remember that the standards you see are unrealistic.”
Rachel’s music stands out because of the authenticity behind it. Many artists sing about these topics, but Rachel openly lives her life like this. Followers of her TikTok are familiar with Rachel’s iconic solo videos alone in her car, bedroom, or anywhere private. She cultivates her artistic style alone, not looking for the approval of anyone except herself in that moment, and her ability to shut out the world and ignore negativity is what has allowed Rachel to simultaneously become so vulnerable yet confident.
Also announced this week, Rachel became the first ever winner of MTV’s Becoming a Popstar TikTok vote. Competing against 8 other music videos, fans voted Rachel’s to win the $10,000 prize and a feature on MTV’s social media pages. The song recalls Rachel’s home, Livingston, NJ, and the video follows her around town landmarks as she remembers her childhood. It’s a heartfelt, sentimental film and one that will forever be a staple of Rachel’s career.
Premiering on YouTube alongside the single’s release, the “Good Side” music video shows Rachel singing the lyrics to “Good Side” by herself at home as she scrolls her phone, watching the good side version of herself go out to eat and party with friends. At home Rachel wears sweats, drinks tea, and lays around reading or writing – a laid back, true version of that fans will recognize. During the parts of the video when she’s out, Rachel is glammed up with glitter, rhinestones, and bright red and pink outfits. Forced smiles and laughs underscore the fake scenarios that are being acted out for online appearance. “Good Side” is the newest anthem for all those who want to leave the fake behind and start embracing life at face value.
Growing up in the outskirts of New York City, Rachel Grae dissected music like an archeologist — digging into lyrics, and turning over melodies. When she started writing her own music she set her intention with clarity, embracing imperfection as a means to investigate vulnerability in all its forms. Rachel points to Kelly Clarkson, Adele, and Demi Lovato as vocal inspirations, but she invokes the youthful energy of peers like Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, and Tate McRae through her songwriting. Uniquely, when Rachel Grae yearns to learn more about the world around her, she looks inwardly — reflecting on her past missteps and epiphanies to inform her next move. Her goal is clear: constructing songs that confront universal emotions as a compassionate act; making music that works on herself means that listeners start halfway to the finish line.
-Official bio
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