The world’s biggest pop stars can sometimes feel just out of reach of the outspoken fanbases who love them. As some of the world’s best-known celebrities, they are placed on a pedestal and elevated to a near-mythic status.

But if you, dear reader, are looking for all the glitz and glamor that come with a big-name pop performer while still craving the down-to-earth and charming personality of an indie darling, step into the fabulous world of Nashville-based queer pop singer Molly Grace.

Grace began releasing music in 2021 and made a splash with singles like “What If I? (The Grocery Store Song)” and “Lover (Love Her).” Now, with the 2025 releases of her hit single “F.E.M.M.E.” and debut album, “Blush,” it might not be long before her infectious melodies and angelic voice take the world by storm.

In January 2025, before embarking on her “But I’m a Pop Star!” tour — inspired by the queer cult classic, “But I’m a Cheerleader” (1999) — Grace released “F.E.M.M.E.,” a danceable anthem about her experience as a femme lesbian. High-pitched choral background vocals support a subtle, groovy bassline and engaging drum cadences that build in intensity throughout the song.

The whirlwind of a track went semi-viral on TikTok with lyrics about when both men and women assume the singer is straight before Grace cheekily sings, “Is it such a crime to be / Fabulous, enticing, magnetic, magical, everything?”

Matching the energy and whimsy of “F.E.M.M.E.,” “Soprano,” off her album “Blush,” features extended vocal riffs that Grace tackles with ease, a funky bass line and flashy horns blasting throughout the track.

Grace parallels sexual awakening with spiritual rebirth in “Heaven Sent,” a gospel-inspired, disco-pop package. The track captures Grace’s flirty, fun pop persona, as she sings “I swear your love is my revival / And I got one hand on the Bible.” 

Not only is the song ridiculously fun — as is the music video, which features mesmerizing choreography and background singers in choir robes — a myriad of genres and influences are apparent in the choral background vocals, snazzy strings and brass adorning the track’s chorus. 

Before the success of her debut album, Grace was still undoubtedly a rising pop star, even as she dipped more into genres like funk and soul. Her first EP, “Everybody Wants to Know Molly,” grooves and jives through each song. 

Her breakout single, “What If I (The Grocery Store Song),” is about running into her ex in a grocery store. The bridge features witty lyrics like “I’m a whole snack in Whole Foods” and “In Aldi he want all this.” The track is laid back and mellow compared to Grace’s recent releases but still charming and cute, with lovely acoustic guitar.

From the same EP, Grace’s debut single, “Here I Am,” matches the tone and energy of “What if I,” while placing a larger emphasis on light, delicate horns that elevate the track. While many of Grace’s songs are about a romantic partner, “Here I Am” is more introspective and focuses on self-care after a breakup. Grace illustrates this through lyrics like “I’ve been saying to myself the things I wished that you would say.”

By far her funkiest project to date, “Lovesick” is an imaginative pop EP, made evident by the leading single, “Lover (Love Her),” which uses a sample of Grace’s voice as a keyboard throughout, playing to a syncopated rhythm. A snappy electric guitar and jazzy bass also skillfully flirt with each other, creating a savory groove as Grace sings about falling for a girl at a bar.

While Grace’s studio-recorded work has the highest number of streams, her live album, recorded during her “Lovesick Tour,” features a couple of gems that capture her prowess as a live performer. Her cover mashup of The Jacksons’ “Blame It On the Boogie” and Carl Carlton’s “She’s A Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked)” is a treat, as Grace’s charisma shines.

One of Grace’s most memorable songs is “Little Bit of Hell.” While it is a typical breakup song, Grace’s impressive range and measured cadence make the track an intoxicating earworm. The lyrics “One day I just might mean it when I say I wish you well / But first I hope you go through just a little bit of hell” effortlessly capture the frustration of a breakup.

Grace has a star quality that is begging to be displayed on a big stage, and her discography of fun, catchy and unforgettable bops proves she won’t be just a rising star for long, but will soon be a main-stage sensation.

Aden Max Juarez is a sophomore writing about non-mainstream music in his column, “Underground Earworms,” which runs every other Thursday. He is also an Arts and Entertainment editor at the Daily Trojan.