Grace Album | Mckenna
8.5/10 Listen to: “Ugly Crier,” “Self Dysmorphia,” “Checkered Vans” Skip if: You need upbeat dance-pop—this one’s for the feels. Bittersweet 16 is available on all streaming platforms. McKenna Grace is currently touring select U.S. cities and working on her next project—because apparently, saving the world and breaking hearts isn’t a full enough schedule.
If you’re looking for radio-ready bangers, this isn’t that album. But if you want songs that feel like reading someone’s private diary set to tasteful chords, you’ve found gold. Upon release, Bittersweet 16 debuted at #3 on Billboard’s Heatseekers Album chart and earned glowing reviews from outlets like Atwood Magazine and The Line of Best Fit . Fans praised Grace for avoiding typical “Disney-pop” tropes—there’s no glossy choreography, no autotune, no forced happiness. Instead, she’s been compared to a young Joni Mitchell or a less polished Lorde. mckenna grace album
On social media, the album became a safe space for Gen Z listeners. The hashtag #Bittersweet16Album trended on Twitter with fans sharing which track made them cry. “Self Dysmorphia,” in particular, sparked thousands of comments from young people thanking Grace for putting words to feelings they couldn’t express. Let’s be clear: McKenna Grace is not “an actress who makes music.” She is a dual-threat artist who happens to be very good at two difficult jobs. Bittersweet 16 succeeds because it never feels like a vanity project. It feels necessary—like Grace had to write these songs to survive being 16 in the public eye. cities and working on her next project—because apparently,
When you hear the name McKenna Grace, your mind likely jumps first to her stacked acting résumé: the fiercely brilliant young prodigy in Gifted , the tragic Tonya Harding in I, Tonya , or the scene-stealing, foul-mouthed genius Sabrina in Ghostbusters: Afterlife . But with her debut full-length album, Bittersweet 16 , Grace serves a powerful reminder that she isn’t just a Hollywood actor who dabbles in music—she is a confessional singer-songwriter with serious staying power. Upon release, Bittersweet 16 debuted at #3 on
Released on March 1, 2023 (coinciding with her actual 16th birthday—a power move), Bittersweet 16 is a coming-of-age record that wears its heart on its flannel sleeve. Equal parts Lizzy McAlpine’s intimacy, Olivia Rodrigo’s scathing specificity, and a dash of Kacey Musgraves’ witty melancholy, this 10-track project proves that Grace has been quietly building one of the most authentic young discographies in pop. Unlike many actor-to-musician crossovers, McKenna Grace didn’t just pick up a microphone last year. She has been releasing singles and EPs since 2021, including Haunted House and the holiday EP Home for the Holidays . Her 2022 single “Ugly Crier” went viral on TikTok for its brutally honest depiction of post-breakup despair. By the time Bittersweet 16 arrived, fans had already watched her evolve from a curious songwriter into a polished, hands-on artist—she co-wrote every track and plays piano, guitar, and ukulele across the album. Track-by-Track Highlights 1. “Bittersweet 16” (Title Track) The album opens with its thesis statement. Over a driving, finger-picked acoustic guitar, Grace sings about the paradox of turning 16: old enough to feel deeply but young enough to be dismissed. “They say these are the best years / So why do I feel half-dead here?” It’s not a whine—it’s a quiet observation that sets the album’s tone: wise beyond her years, but still tender. 2. “Ugly Crier” The fan favorite. This track is a masterclass in specificity. Grace doesn’t just say she’s sad—she describes the exact shade of her snot, the way her voice cracks mid-sentence, and the embarrassment of crying in a parking lot. The chorus explodes into a cathartic indie-pop stomp: “I’m an ugly crier / But at least I’m not a liar.” It’s the kind of song you scream in the car with your best friend. 3. “Checkered Vans” A nostalgic, Fleetwood Mac-lite track about the ghosts of childhood friendships. The production shimmers with soft reverb and layered harmonies as Grace reflects on a friend who grew up too fast. “You traded your checkered Vans for high heels and a plan.” It’s heartbreaking in its simplicity. 4. “Self Dysmorphia” The album’s emotional core. Over a sparse, haunting piano line, Grace details her struggle with body image and the feeling of not recognizing her own reflection. It’s raw, unflinching, and remarkably mature. She doesn’t offer a tidy resolution—just honesty. “I trace the lines that aren’t there / And swear I’m too much or not enough to care.” 5. “do all my friends hate me?” The title says it all. This track leans into a more upbeat, almost punk-pop energy, reminiscent of early Paramore. Grace’s delivery is anxious and breathless, capturing the social paranoia of being a teenager in the group-chat era. The bridge features a voicemail from a real friend (actor Mckenna Grace’s actual best friend) reassuring her—a sweet, meta touch. 6. “Birthday Party” (Closing Track) The album ends exactly where it began: on her 16th birthday. But the tone has shifted. Over a soft, ambient outro, Grace sings about blowing out candles alone, realizing that growing up isn’t a party—it’s a process. “I made a wish but I don’t know what for / I already have everything and nothing at all.” It’s a stunning, quiet finish. Production & Sound: Indie-Pop with a Theatrical Edge Produced primarily by McKenna Grace herself alongside longtime collaborator Joshua Murty (and one track produced by Rob Moose of Bon Iver fame), Bittersweet 16 avoids overproduction. The arrangements breathe: acoustic guitars, soft strings, occasional synth pads, and Grace’s crystalline voice front and center. She knows her strength is storytelling, not belting, and she leans into conversational, intimate vocals.
It’s a debut that announces a major new voice in singer-songwriter pop—one who happens to also fight ghosts and save the world on screen. But on this album, she’s just a 16-year-old figuring it out, and that’s more than enough.
In a music landscape crowded with polished, brand-safe pop stars, McKenna Grace offers something rarer: authenticity with rough edges. She’s okay with being sad, messy, anxious, and hopeful—sometimes all in one chorus. If you like: Olivia Rodrigo’s SOUR , Gracie Abrams’ Good Riddance , or Lizzy McAlpine’s five seconds flat … You will love: Bittersweet 16 by McKenna Grace.
