A Chat with GRACE. (11.12.25)
Rising artist GRACE. unveils her debut album, Hourglass Plea, a deeply personal and tender exploration of the fleeting nature of time. Written during one of the most challenging years of her life, the album serves as both a diary and a safe haven. We chat with GRACE. below about the album and more.
OSR: How has releasing a debut album changed your perspective on the music industry?
GRACE.: I think it made me realise how wonderfully diverse music is, and how beautiful it is that there’s space for everyone. The music industry really is this intersection of art and community, and I love how it’s become easier for independent artists to put their music out into the world. It’s also reminded me that it’s not just about releasing songs — the real magic is in building relationships, telling stories, and finding people who genuinely connect with them. Going through this process made me appreciate other artists and all the behind-the-scenes work even more, and it reinforced for me that authenticity truly does cut through the noise.
OSR: You’ve described this album as a diary. How did writing songs help you process grief and heartbreak?
GRACE.: I think it’s because I allowed myself to write my thoughts and feelings down freely, without judgement. Writing these songs felt like giving myself permission to sit with the grief instead of running from it. By putting everything into words, including the unspoken things I could never say out loud — I was able to truly feel, process, and make sense of what I was going through. It was a vulnerable journey, but it helped me move through the hard feelings rather than stay stuck in them.
OSR: Can you walk us through the moment you realised you wanted to turn your experiences into Hourglass Plea?
GRACE.: I first sensed the direction of Hourglass Plea through a song like ‘Fraction of You’. At the time, I was in a relationship that felt uncertain, and we didn’t know if it could truly go somewhere. In the end, it couldn’t work out even though we tried our best, and eventually we knew we had to let go. There were moments when I found myself thinking, “If only I could, I’d stop the time, and I’d forever stay in your warm embrace. But time won’t stand still — I could only keep a fraction of you.” That line eventually became the heart of the song. And as I kept writing, I realised all the songs were orbiting around the same idea: the beauty and ache of temporary moments. That’s when shaping them into an album started to feel natural. Hourglass Plea became a way to honour those fleeting chapters and brief encounters, and the emotions that come with them.
OSR: You draw inspiration from artists like Clairo, Bruno Major, and Laufey. How do you make sure your sound stays uniquely yours?
GRACE.: I’ve always felt that we can never truly replicate anything — and if we try, it won’t feel authentic anyway. When I draw inspiration from artists like Clairo, Bruno Major, and Laufey, I’m simply absorbing the elements I love and letting them blend naturally into my own sound. I genuinely believe the idea that there’s nothing new under the sun. Everything we create is a combination of the influences we’ve allowed into our lives. I love Clairo for her soft, feminine indie lyricism and the delicate production on Charm. I love Bruno Major for his heartfelt melodies and his chill R&B/jazz touch. And Laufey inspires me with her modern, dreamy, whimsical jazz-tinged world. All three have shaped my music in different ways. But even with those influences, the emotions and storytelling are uniquely mine. In the end, the music becomes something only I can make — the same way we, as people, are shaped by those who influence us, yet still remain completely one of a kind.
OSR: Your voice carries a lot of nostalgia and fragility. How did you develop this vocal style?
GRACE.: Wow, that’s actually the first time I’ve heard my voice described that way! I never intentionally shaped it — I think it naturally followed the stories I wanted to tell. The songs on Hourglass Plea are so tender and personal that I leaned into a softer, more intimate delivery. I focused more on storytelling than perfection, and I guess that’s where the nostalgia and fragility came through.
OSR: Can you tell us about your songwriting process? Do melodies come first, or lyrics?
GRACE.: Honestly, it really depends on the song. Sometimes it starts with lyrics — just raw thoughts I’ve typed into my notes with no melody yet. Other times, I record a melody on my voice memos without any words. I have this little “bank” of fragmented ideas, and I often match a melody I’ve saved with lines I’ve written on a completely different day. And then there are songs that come together all at once. The chorus of “not today, but maybe someday” arrived with both melody and lyrics at the same time. Same with “something ended before it even started” — that one flowed out almost fully formed. I think my more indie-folk-leaning songs tend to emerge like that. So there’s no single process. Each song shows up in its own way, and I just try to follow where it leads, I guess.
OSR: And how do you balance vulnerability in your lyrics with the desire to create music that resonates universally?
GRACE.: I think vulnerability actually helps people connect more, but I also like keeping certain details private. So my lyrics aren’t always literal — I express things in a more poetic way that feels true to me while still leaving space for listeners to see their own stories. In ‘Fraction of You,’ for example, the line “If only I could, I’d stop the time and I’d forever stay in your warm embrace. But time won’t stand still — I could only keep a fraction of you.” is vulnerable without giving the whole story. It captures a feeling many people understand: wanting to hold onto something that’s fading. For me, it’s about being honest without oversharing — letting the emotion stay universal, even if the story is personal.
OSR: If you could collaborate with any artist, living or past, who would it be and why?
GRACE.: If I could collaborate with anyone, I’d love to work with Cleo Sol. I admire how she creates an intersection of art and faith in her music, which is something I deeply resonate with — and I think our styles could blend into something intimate and soulful. I’d also love to collaborate with JVKE. I love how he consistently creates such intimate-sounding music and heartfelt songwriting. I’d also love to collaborate with Clairo, Laufey, or Bruno Major. I feel we could create something soft, emotional, and honest — the kind of song that feels like a quiet conversation.
If I could choose someone from the past, Ella Fitzgerald would be a dream. To live in that dreamy jazz world and era would be so special. Amy Winehouse and D’Angelo would also be dream collaborators — Amy for her raw soulfulness, and D’Angelo for the neo-soul groove that has shaped the way I approach melody and feel in my own music. Honestly, that was way too hard to keep to just one!
OSR: Are there plans for live performances or a tour to accompany the album release?
GRACE.: Oh gosh, it’s definitely a dream of mine! I don’t have plans for a full tour just yet — as an independent artist, I’m figuring out a lot of the logistics on my own. But I am putting together a live performance for the album showcase in January 2026 in Singapore, where I’m currently based, and I’m really excited about it. For now, that’s my main focus. But once I bring the Singapore show to life, who knows — I’d love to recreate the experience in other cities someday. It’s something I’m working toward step by step.
OSR: Where do you see yourself creatively evolving after this album?
GRACE.: Honestly, the possibilities feel endless, and I feel wide open after this album. I’ll always have a home in the R&B/Soul space, but I’m excited to explore more of the indie-pop lane, experiment with my sound, and let new stories shape the next chapter. I love the warmth, groove, and intimacy of those genres, and I want to keep creating music that resonates with more people — melodies that are catchy, emotions that feel universal, and stories that still carry my voice. I’m excited to keep exploring, evolving, and seeing where this next season takes me.
Many thanks to GRACE. for speaking with us. Find out more about GRACE. on her Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Spotify.
