December Playlist

December Playlist

New viewers - don't forget to check out my YouTube channel (youtube.com/jensenmcraeofficial), my official site (jensenmcrae.com), and my Twitter (@mcraejensen) <3

Unbelievably, we have arrived at my last playlist of 2015. It's been a little chilly here in LA (although of course, it's not a real winter by most standards)...

My fall semester grades came out today, and I did pretty well! Not quite as good as my older brother, but then again, not all of us can graduate a semester early from Harvard with a 4.0 GPA. (Yep.)

In any event, it's time for me to provide you with some tunes that will help you close out the year. I hope you like them! I really did! :)

1. "The Lung" - 4:53
ALBUM: Choose Your Weapon
ARTIST: Hiatus Kaiyote

2. "I Used to Love Him" - 5:40
ALBUM: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
ARTIST: Lauryn Hill

3. "No Pressure (feat. Big Sean)" - 4:47
ALBUM: Purpose
ARTIST: Justin Bieber

4. "Catch & Release (Deepend Remix)" - 3:16
ALBUM: Catch & Release (Deepend Remix) - Single
ARTIST: Matt Simons

5. "Lean On (feat. MØ)" - 2:57
ALBUM: Peace Is The Mission
ARTIST: Major Lazer & DJ Snake

6. "Different Colors" - 3:42
ALBUM: TALKING IS HARD
ARTIST: WALK THE MOON

7. "Cassy O'" - 3:04
ALBUM: Wanted On Voyage
ARTIST: George Ezra

8. "Naked" - 3:22
ALBUM: VHS
ARTIST: X Ambassadors

9. "The Daylight" - 4:43
ALBUM: The Daylight EP
ARTIST: Andrew Belle

10. "Halo" - 3:19
ALBUM: The Morning
ARTIST: Lewis Watson

11. "Divorcée" - 3:29
ALBUM: The Widowmaker
ARTIST: Donovan Woods

12. "The Blower's Daughter" - 4:47
ALBUM: O
ARTIST: Damien Rice

13. "Shallows" - 6:54
ALBUM: If You Leave
ARTIST: Daughter

14. "Blood" - 5:17
ALBUM: If I Should Go Before You
ARTIST: City and Colour

15. "This Is After" - 3:15
ALBUM: Songs for Felix - EP
ARTIST: The Nova Darlings

16. "Samson" - 3:09
ALBUM: Begin to Hope
ARTIST: Regina Spektor

So those are the 16 songs I've been listening to this month. 2015 has really felt like two distinct parts, instead of 12, or 52, or 365...it's truly BC and AC (before and after college). I'd like to think I've grown and changed in some ways. A few weeks ago, I might have said that I hadn't. But now that I'm looking back at where I was on the last night of 2014, and where I am now, I feel pretty good about all the things I've accomplished. I've written a lot of great things. I've let go of childish fantasies that do me more harm than good to harbor. And I'm looking toward 2016 (and turning 19! Cool...) with excitement, not with dread.

Merry early Christmas, and happy early New Year. Talk soon. xo

November Playlist

November Playlist

Yo, what's up, party people?! November is almost over WHICH MEANS IT'S ALMOST CHRISTMAS! And though I am Jewish, my Christmas senses are tingling!

Also, I am very excited for winter break. Thanksgiving break was crucial, but now I'm just ready for the big kahuna. You feel me?

Oh, and I could stand to leave 2015 behind. Some great things happened this year, but it felt...so muddled and confusing. The end of 2014 just bled into the beginning of 2015 and I never really got my momentum. I'm already deep in the trenches of spiritual preparation for 2016 (whoa...that's crazy) and I look forward to starting on the right foot. Especially since I sense BIG things on the horizon for my music and my writing. You'll have to stick around and see what happens! ;)

Enjoy my November playlist and coast into that sweet, wintry, final month with me...

OOP! Before I forget - check out "Songs for Felix," the new EP by USC band The Nova Darlings! I'm friends with a couple of those guys and they really know how to make a great tune. Search 'em up on Soundcloud, Spotify, or iTunes (they're everywhere)! And now for the playlist!

1. "Gold" - 3:46
ALBUM: Gold - Single
ARTIST: Kiiara

2. "Lay It All on Me (feat. Ed Sheeran)" - 4:03
ALBUM: We the Generation
ARTIST: Rudimental

3. "Alive" - 4:24
ALBUM: This Is Acting
ARTIST: Sia

4. "Bird Set Free" - 4:13
ALBUM: This Is Acting
ARTIST: Sia

5. "Hello" - 4:56
ALBUM: 25
ARTIST: Adele

6. "Diary (feat. Jermaine Paul & Tony! Toni! Toné!)" - 4:44
ALBUM: The Diary of Alicia Keys
ARTIST: Alicia Keys

7. "Fingerprints" - 4:17
ALBUM: Choose Your Weapon
ARTIST: Hiatus Kaiyote

8. "Take the Box" - 3:20
ALBUM: Frank
ARTIST: Amy Winehouse

9. "Driving in Circles" - 3:29
ALBUM: Confluence
ARTIST: Zane Carney

10. "Tower of Song" - 3:47
ALBUM: Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man (Motion Picture Soundtrack)
ARTIST: Martha Wainright

11. "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" - 3:38
ALBUM: Bob Dylan
ARTIST: The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan

12. "Half Asleep" - 3:14
ALBUM: Heigh Ho
ARTIST: Blake Mills

13. "Hold You In My Arms" - 5:06
ALBUM: Trouble
ARTIST: Ray LaMontagne

14. "I've Just Seen a Face" - 2:05
ALBUM: Help!
ARTIST: The Beatles

15. "Cold Is the Night" - 3:15
ALBUM: The Oh Hellos - EP
ARTIST: The Oh Hellos

16. "Shine" - 2:59
ALBUM: Last Smoke Before the Snowstorm
ARTIST: Benjamin Francis Leftwich

17. "Between the Bars" - 2:21
ALBUM: Either/Or
ARTIST: Elliott Smith

18. "Count Your Blessings" - 4:05
ALBUM: Count Your Blessings - EP
ARTIST: George Ogilvie

19. "Sink Or Swim" - 3:44
ALBUM: The Morning
ARTIST: Lewis Watson

20. "Petrolia" - 4:11
ALBUM: Don't Get Too Grand
ARTIST: Donovan Woods

21. "In July" - 2:23
ALBUM: Hi Fidelity
ARTIST: Ernie Halter

22. "Wild Things" - 3:09
ALBUM: Know-It-All
ARTIST: Alessia Cara

23. "In Exile" - 3:53
ALBUM: Beggars
ARTIST: Thrice

24. "Hollow" - 3:31
ALBUM: Hollow - Single
ARTIST: Tori Kelly

25. "Annie's Always Waiting (For the Next One to Leave)" - 2:56
ALBUM: Last of the Great Pretenders
ARTIST: Matt Nathanson

26. "Radio" - 3:31
ALBUM: Labor of Love
ARTIST: Ernie Halter

27. "Don't Wanna Fight" - 3:53
ALBUM: Sound & Color
ARTIST: Alabama Shakes

28. "Ain't That Peculiar" - 2:59
ALBUM: Number 1s: Marvin Gaye
ARTIST: Marvin Gaye

Jeez, didn't realize how long this thing was! Anyway, I hope you enjoy these 28 tunes in the last few hours of November. Time is precious. It slips away quickly. Before you know it, you're halfway through your freshman year of college and you're no closer to figuring out where you belong in the world...or maybe that's just me. I'm feeling good, though. Like I said, big things are on the horizon. Wheels are turning. The universe is preparing for us all.

Talk soon. xo

White Privilege Reader's Theater

INT. - LIVING ROOM - DAY

A, the homeowner, stands in the middle of a room, ankle deep in water. B, the handyman, stands on a raised platform with wheels, carrying a toolbox.

A: Thank you for coming on such short notice.
B: No problem. Ivory Roofers is here to help. Now what seems to be the problem?
A: Well, as you can see, my house is flooded due to a leak in the ceiling. Not surprising, considering how bad the weather has been these days.
B: Whoa, whoa, slow down there.
A: Sorry?
B: I just don't want you to jump to any conclusions.
A: I'm afraid I don't know what you mean.
B: Well, we don't know if there's really a leak in the ceiling.
A: How can you say that?
B: Don't antagonize me, I'm just playing devil's advocate. All I'm saying is that from where we're standing, it's impossible to tell if there's really a leak in the ceiling.
A: My house is flooded. That's a pretty good indicator that the ceiling has been leaking.
B: Flooding is kind of a strong word. There's not really that much, is there?
A: Do you not see the water on the floor?!
B: Try not to get too emotional, it's only water.
A: Surely you wouldn't want to live in a house where you're constantly ankle deep in water. It's damaging everything I own and generally ruining my quality of life.
B: At least you have a home.
A: Excuse me?
B: A lot of people don't even have homes to flood.
A: I mean, sure, but that's hardly the point right now. The point is that my home is flooded, and I called you to fix it.
B: Why do I have to fix it?
A: Well, for one thing, you're a roofer. That's literally your job. And second of all, because your company put the roof up in the first place, so you're really in the best position to fix it.
B: It's not my house. It's your house. Shouldn't you fix it?
A: I'm not a roofer! You are a roofer! Why won't you just fix the leak?
B: Couldn't you just learn to live with it?
A: I've been living with it for some time now, but I'm tired of just "living with it." That's why I called you. The weather has been bad, and--
B: Whoa, whoa, don't blame the weather for your problems.
A: How can I not blame the weather? The only reason there's water flooding my home is because of all the rain.
B: No, there's water in your home because you let it in your home.
A: That literally makes no sense. There is a hole in my roof--
B: Conjecture.
A: --And it's been raining, so there's now an excess of water all over my home. Please just fix it so I can move on with my life.
B: Look, it really doesn't seem that bad. Why don't you just stand on your platform?
A: Sorry, what?
B: As you can see, I've got a platform that I always stand on when things get too wet. Why don't you stand on your platform?
A: I don't have a platform.
B: I guess you could stand on mine.
A: There are no stairs. Could you help me up?
B: Wow, I offer you a spot on my platform, out of the water, and now I have to help you up, too?
A: There's really no other way for me to get up there.
B: That's not my problem.
A: Look. YOU put in the faulty roof. YOU refuse to fix the problems with it. I'M the one that's suffering because of it.
B: Technically, I didn't put that roof in. My grandfather did. When HE built this house, by the way. You really ought to be thanking me.
A: Why on earth should I thank you?!
B: Like I said. MY grandfather built this roof and put a roof over YOUR head.
A: The roof is leaking! And you refuse to fix it!
B: You can't blame me for something my grandfather did.
A: You're being ridiculous.
B: I'm not being ridiculous. You're the one complaining about everything and ignoring all your good fortune. If my grandfather hadn't built this house, you would have nowhere to live.
A: No, I'd just be living somewhere else.
B: But this house is so big and beautiful! It's got plenty of space for you to move around. And it's soundproof. You can say whatever you want as loud as you want!
A: All that would be great if it weren't flooded and all my things weren't water damaged. Why did you even come here if you weren't going to fix my roof?
B: I was trying to help you look on the bright side.
A: You're a roofer! That isn't what I hired you to do!
B: You haven't even paid me yet.
A: Because you haven't done your job!
B: I'm done being yelled at. I'm leaving.
A: Wait! You haven't fixed my roof! What am I supposed to do?
B: Solve your own problems!

B pulls out an oar from the toolbox and unfolds it to its full size.

A: Can I at least have that oar? Jesus, where the hell did you get that thing?
B: My father gave it to me so it's mine.
A: Is your house flooded?
B: No. But all the houses in this neighborhood have water in them. So I'm gonna need this to get around.
A: Are you going to fix the other houses, then?
B: Probably not. Hopefully they'll be more receptive to my help than you've been.

B uses the oar and the rolling platform to leave the house. A sighs and removes a blanket from a nearby couch, beginning - however futilely - to mop up all the water.

October Playlist

October Playlist

Hey there! Happy (almost) Halloween! October has been kind of a strange month. It feels like it's been October forever. On the plus side, I had my first performance midterm (which went AWESOME, I think!) AND I got to perform an acoustic, original set at Tommy's Place, which is a supercool USC venue - not only did I get to do my own stuff up there, but I was opening for some hella talented upperclassmen. Plus, you know, life happens; people coming in and out of your life, some opportunities fading into nothingness and others coming to the forefront...I know I'm on the precipice of change. It seems like just yesterday I was moving into this dorm, but I'm already for the next step. Am I crazy for thinking that? Or am I just finally growing up and learning to deal with all that life throws at me?

I'm probably crazy.

Anyway, here are the songs I couldn't stop playing this month. I hope you like them as much as I do :)

1. "That Hotel" - 3:14
ALBUM: That Hotel - Single
ARTIST: Donovan Woods

2. "Rylynn" - 5:14
ALBUM: Art of Motion
ARTIST: Andy McKee

3. "Traveling Song" - 3:14
ALBUM: The Fool
ARTIST: Ryn Weaver

4. "On the Way Home" - 3:57
ALBUM: Paradise Valley
ARTIST: John Mayer

5. "My Heart and the Headless" - 3:30
ALBUM: Uniform - EP
ARTIST: Jack Ingram

6. "Hello My Old Heart" - 4:16
ALBUM: The Oh Hellos - EP
ARTIST: The Oh Hellos

7. "One Sweet Love" - 4:21
ALBUM: Little Voice
ARTIST: Sara Bareilles

8. "Husks and Shells" - 3:44
ALBUM: Unmap
ARTIST: Volcano Choir

9. "When That Fever Takes a Hold On You" - 3:29
ALBUM: From the Wreckage
ARTIST: The Wind and The Wave

10. "Tiderays" - 4:57
ALBUM: Repave
ARTIST: Volcano Choir

11. "Circles" - 4:19
ALBUM: Beggars
ARTIST: Thrice

12. "Angeles" - 2:57
ALBUM: Either/Or
ARTIST: Elliott Smith

13. "Alone Together (feat. Marsha Ambrosius)" - 3:59
ALBUM: Alone Together - EP
ARTIST: Daley

14. "Eden" - 4:06
ALBUM: The Blessed Unrest
ARTIST: Sara Bareilles

15. "Love Is a Losing Game (Demo Version)" - 3:44
ALBUM: Back to Black: B-Sides
ARTIST: Amy Winehouse

16. "I'd Look Good on You" - 3:23
ALBUM: Labor of Love
ARTIST: Ernie Halter

17. "If I'm Unworthy" - 4:43
ALBUM: Heigh Ho
ARTIST: Blake Mills

18. "Boys & Girls" - 3:26
ALBUM: Boys & Girls
ARTIST: Alabama Shakes

Here are 18 cool tunes for you to close out this spooooooky month. Question: how are you supposed to tell how people really feel about you? It seems like in college, everybody - friends, romantic interests, collaborators - will be borderline obsessed with you one day only to have no interest in you the next. Maybe I'm just reading too much into things (as usual). Maybe I'm not reading ENOUGH into things (the greatest cinematic plot twist in history). Anyway, I hope you're having a decent year, no matter what stage of life you're in. Transitions are hard. But you get through them. And then you get whatever's on the other side, which is probably pretty cool.

Talk soon. xo

September Playlist

September Playlist

Hey, squad. I know I've been lacking on posts lately and I'm sorry! When I have more free time, I'll write a bunch and stock 'em up for ya!

College is...well, it's college. I'm having a great time, but it's so busy and stressful and crazy. It feels like I'm living in an alternate universe most of the time. Music is my saving grace. I'm so glad that I'm studying it and that I can listen to it and play it and just be immersed in it all the time.

It's nearing the end of September (already?!) and so it's time for me to show you the songs I've been listening to. Before I do that, though, a couple of Soundcloud links for your troubles:

https://soundcloud.com/mackin-carroll/vampires
https://soundcloud.com/will-joseph-cook/hearse

You won't regret listening, I promise! Now, onto the playlist!

1. "Cecilia and the Satellite" - 3:44
ALBUM: Andrew McMahon In the Wilderness
ARTIST: Andrew McMahon In the Wilderness

2. "The Arrow" - 5:11
ALBUM: Home
ARTIST: Josh Garrels

3. "Building a Ladder" - 5:42
ALBUM: Choose Your Weapon
ARTIST: Hiatus Kaiyote

4. "Fever To the Form" - 4:11
ALBUM: Fever To the Form - EP
ARTIST: Nick Mulvey

5. "Hound Dog (Single)" - 2:52
ALBUM: Hound Dog: The Peacock Recordings
ARTIST: Big Mama Thornton

6. "Uma Thurman" - 3:32
ALBUM: American Beauty / American Psycho
ARTIST: Fall Out Boy

7. "Wonderful Unknown (feat. Greg Laswell)" - 5:02
ALBUM: Lights Out
ARTIST: Ingrid Michaelson

8. "Circle" - 3:30
ALBUM: Radius
ARTIST: Allen Stone

9. "Under the Sun" - 3:22
ALBUM: Sugar Ray
ARTIST: Sugar Ray

10. "The Night Josh Tillman Came To Our Apt." - 3:36
ALBUM: I Love You, Honeybear
ARTIST: Father John Misty

11. "Rockin' Robin" - 2:36
ALBUM: Rockin' Robin
ARTIST: Bobby Day

12. "Neon (Live)" - 5:56
ALBUM: Where The Light Is: John Mayer Live in Los Angeles
ARTIST: John Mayer

13. "Miss Me" - 3:41
ALBUM: Andy Grammer
ARTIST: Andy Grammer

14. "This I Know" - 4:31
ALBUM: Picture of Our Youth
ARTIST: David's Lyre

15. "Smile Like That" - 4:22
ALBUM: Radio Music Society
ARTIST: Esperanza Spalding

16. "Miss You" - 3:41
ALBUM: Sound & Color
ARTIST: Alabama Shakes

That'll do it for this month's playlist! I hope your school year is off to a strong start, no matter what grade level you're in. I hope you're hanging out with old friends and making new ones. I hope you're not overthinking things. I hope you're living in the moment. These are all things I need to work on, and so I wish you success as you try your hand at doing them. I believe in you. You can seriously do anything you set your mind to. People are standing with you, even if you can't see them. Keep going. Fight on. Talk soon. xo

August Playlist

August Playlist

Coming to you live from the beautiful University of Southern California!

The first week or so of school has been absolutely awesome. I've met some of the most incredible people, I've started taking my (unbelievably cool) pop classes, and in general, I just feel like I couldn't have made a better choice about college.

In true Jensen McRae fashion, it's the end of the month, so I owe you (if anyone reads this...) a monthly playlist. I'll try to get a lengthy, philosophically sprawling blog post about time or growing up on here soon, but no promises. My work load is only going to get crazier from here...

1. "This Is Sally Hatchet" - 3:58
ALBUM: Fear Fun
ARTIST: Father John Misty

2. "East of Eden" - 3:06
ALBUM: Kicker
ARTIST: Zella Day

3. "All Those Pretty Lights (Alternate Universe Version)" - 5:53
ALBUM: The Daylight EP
ARTIST: Andrew Belle

4. "This House Is a Hotel" - 3:31
ALBUM: From the Wreckage
ARTIST: The Wind and the Wave

5. "What Would I Do Without You" - 2:52
ALBUM: Good Light
ARTIST: Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors

6. "All Our Lives (Needy Me)" - 4:17
ALBUM: The Acoustic Deleted EP
ARTIST: Max Milner

7. "Ghosts That We Knew" - 5:40
ALBUM: Babel
ARTIST: Mumford & Sons

8. "Beautiful Goodbye" - 4:18
ALBUM: Overexposed
ARTIST: Maroon 5

9. "Afraid of the Dark" - 3:16
ALBUM: Bad Girls - EP
ARTIST: MKTO

10. "The Way (feat. Chance the Rapper)" - 4:23
ALBUM: You Should Be Here
ARTIST: Kehlani

11. "Art of Letting You Go" - 3:35
ALBUM: Unbreakable Smile
ARTIST: Tori Kelly

12. "So Fly" - 3:38
ALBUM: Perfectly Imperfect
ARTIST: Elle Varner

13. "Barcelona" - 3:09
ALBUM: Wanted On Voyage
ARTIST: George Ezra

14. "Kill Me (And Make It Quick)" - 3:45
ALBUM: Take the World
ARTIST: Amelie

15. "Cheerleader" - 3:00
ALBUM: Young & Free
ARTIST: OMI

That'll do it for now! I have to dash off to performance class in a few minutes, but I hope you give these tunes a listen and enjoy what you hear! My heart and my brain are all over the place these days, but rest assured, the first few days of college are exhilarating and terrifying and amazing. So go forth. Godspeed, readers. Talk soon. xo

July Playlist

July Playlist

Yo yo yo! The end of July is nearing! In two days I'm going on vacation, and then pretty soon after I get back, I move into my dorm...which is pretty freakin' crazy. The next time I post one of these playlists, I'll be writing from college...WHAT IS LIFE?!

Anyway, I've got a really cool, eclectic mix of songs for you guys this month, and while all 19 of these tracks are perfect for any time of year, I've really loved blasting them in my car, driving around with my friends (like the three times I actually left my room) or just laying in bed, thinkin' about life.

1. "Like Me Slightly" - 4:06
ALBUM: The Acoustic Deleted EP
ARTIST: Max Milner

2. "Unconsolable" - 3:36
ALBUM: Love Songs Drug Songs - EP
ARTIST: X Ambassadors

3. "Burn the Pages" - 3:15
ALBUM: 1000 Forms of Fear
ARTIST: Sia

4. "Psycho" - 4:11
ALBUM: Space - EP
ARTIST: Rozzi Crane

Side note: if you didn't know, Rozzi Crane is an alum of the pop music program at USC Thornton! Way cool! :)

5. "Say Goodbye" - 3:29
ALBUM: Morning Phase
ARTIST: Beck

6. "Don't Wake Me Up" - 3:40
ALBUM: Is Your Love Big Enough?
ARTIST: Lianne La Havas

7. "Coffee" - 4:46
ALBUM: Wildheart
ARTIST: Miguel

8. "American Privilege" - 3:32
ALBUM: Radius
ARTIST: Allen Stone

9. "We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off" - 3:50
ALBUM: Ella Eyre - EP
ARTIST: Ella Eyre

10. "Only Son of the Ladiesman" - 4:09
ALBUM: Fear Fun
ARTIST: Father John Misty

11. "Chivalry Is Dead" - 3:29
ALBUM: Chivalry Is Dead - Single
ARTIST: Trevor Wesley

12. "Only In Your Mind" - 5:18
ALBUM: You Are Here
ARTIST: The Good Hurt

13. "Voyeur" - 3:00
ALBUM: Parachute - EP
ARTIST: Matthew Koma

14. "what's normal anyway" - 3:13
ALBUM: Wildheart
ARTIST: Miguel

15. "Right Now" - 4:23
ALBUM: Seeds
ARTIST: TV on the Radio

16. "Slave To the South" - 3:14
ALBUM: Gutter Gaunt Gangster
ARTIST: The Weeks

17. "I Don't Care" - 3:06
ALBUM: Perfectly Imperfect
ARTIST: Elle Varner

18. "Nuevo Día" - 4:46
ALBUM: Electricidad
ARTIST: Jesse y Joy

19. "Dímelo" - 3:37
ALBUM: Insomniac
ARTIST: Enrique Iglesias

That'll do it for my July playlist! Big things are happening in my life. I mean, there's the obvious, that I'm about to start college, but then there are a bunch of other things that I can feel on the horizon. Nothing is for sure yet, but a lot is coming...I've created so much content, and I think that pretty soon, the world is gonna get to see it. It's just gonna take the right people getting it at the right time. More as this develops. Until then...talk soon. xo