Q&A: Jenna Raine Opens Up About New Single "Hypothetically," Upcoming Projects, and Her Journey So Far
JENNA RAINE IS NO STRANGER TO THE SPOTLIGHT. With over 220 million streams and a massive following on TikTok, she has made a significant mark in the music industry. Her breakout year in 2023, marked by viral hits like "see you later (10 years)" and "It Is What It Is," propelled her into a new echelon of stardom. Now, she’s back with a fresh sound and new single, "Hypothetically," the first taste of her forthcoming project set to release later this year.
In this exclusive interview, Jenna delves into the inspiration behind "Hypothetically," a track that speaks to the thoughts of an overthinker, reflecting her own experiences. She also discusses her conscious shift towards a more mature sound, the lessons learned from her viral successes, and what fans can expect from her upcoming EP. As Jenna embraces vulnerability in her music, she offers a glimpse into her personal life, her creative process, and her plans for the future, providing aspiring musicians with invaluable advice along the way.
LUNA: Congrats on your new single ”Hypothetically”! Can you tell us a bit about the inspiration behind the song?
RAINE: “Hypothetically” is inspired by the thoughts of any overthinker. I’m an overthinker myself – I spend a lot of late nights thinking of different scenarios that would never happen. I’ve always had a very deep thought process about who would be there for me at my worst. I’m so happy I’ve been able to capture it in a song and share the feeling with all of my fellow overthinkers.
LUNA: The sound on “Hypothetically” seems more mature than your previous work. Was this a conscious decision you made, and how does it reflect your growth as an artist?
RAINE: This was very much a conscious decision. Turning 20 this year has been a huge shift both in my life and in my music. As years go by, you naturally start to listen to different types of music and your palette evolves. I really wanted that to reflect in my own music! I’m very excited about this new sound that we’ve created and cultivated with “Hypothetically”, and I am over the moon about my upcoming project that will have a more mature sound to follow. I am truly trying to create something that I would listen to on my own and it’s going to show in the upcoming music as well.
LUNA: With over 220 million streams and a massive TikTok following, 2023 was a huge year for you. How do you feel looking back on that success?
RAINE: Wow, I didn’t even know that was my total streams at the end of 2023! Looking back, I honestly tried my absolute best to not focus on the streams and how the songs were doing. I wanted to live life and create, and that shined through in my personal life, social media presence and music. The more I hyper fixate on streams and success, the more I let the fear of failure get the best of me. But it makes me happy to see that 2023 was a successful year because it shows that taking a step back and enjoying your life is the best possible thing to do. I really do smile thinking of what my team and I accomplished though!
LUNA: Your songs “see you later (10 years)” and ”It Is What It Is” went viral. How did those experiences shape your creative process for “Hypothetically”?
RAINE: I always knew people were going to gravitate to “see you later” and “It Is What It Is.” “Hypothetically” was more so a clean slate for me. It felt very impactful releasing something that I was so proud of and was excited for people to hear. I wanted to do something different, something more like the music I listen to in my own time. “Hypothetically” is more organic, authentic and vocally soft and I’ve done anything like that before. I tried to not focus on those records when I released “Hypothetically” because I knew this record is a new iteration of me. But my goal for this release is to get my fans on the same page of what the next step is with this fresh sound and new project.
LUNA: “Hypothetically” is the first taste of your forthcoming project. Can you give us any hints about what to expect from the rest of the project?
RAINE: Vulnerability. In the past, I’ve written a lot of music from other people’s perspectives. But with this EP in particular, I’ve been very open and honest about my life and what I’ve gone through in the past year. I’ve very excited about the shift both sonically and lyrically. I am praying that my listeners feel that vulnerability and can connect with it as much as I do. I hope that this project brings me closer to my listeners in being more open about myself.
LUNA: What are you most excited about for the release of the upcoming project?
RAINE: I’m most excited about the reactions from my listeners. This has been such a journey and I’m so blessed to wake up and get to make music every single day. I think I’m most excited for this moment in particular because I’m finally creating music that I want to listen to in my free time, and I hope they love this as much as I do!
LUNA: What advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are hoping to follow in your footsteps?
RAINE: I always say to chase the dream you are most scared of chasing. No one had any idea that I had a passion for music, and if I hadn’t just taken the leap, I wouldn’t be where I am at today. Forget about the embarrassment and what people may think of you – otherwise you will regret it and always think of what could have been!
LUNA: What intentions do you have for this summer?
RAINE: I’m excited to let go a bit more. I’ve always felt the need to feel in control of my own life and what’s going on but this summer I am trying my best to make sweet memories with friends and family and remembering to be grateful for those that love me. I know I’m only going to be 20 once, so I’m ready to enjoy it as much as I can.
