Interview: The Breakthrough: Grace Graber Unveils Powerful Debut Album Addressing Mental Health

Pop punk singer Grace Graber has released a stirring debut album with The Breakthrough, a project that chronicles real mental health struggles while extending solidarity and hope.

“The Breakthrough summarizes my last two EPs, Conversations and In My Head,” Grace Graber offers. “I was so in my head about introducing myself and finally getting a shot at my dream and doing it all right. Then Conversations was me realizing, no one told me what my dreams being made real would cost. I think The Breakthrough is realizing I can take those two things now, and they’re just pieces of my life. God’s going to bring all of these projects, all of these songs, together to shine His light— just like a disco ball. They’ll shine His light and reflect it in a very special way.”

So far, fans have been treated to album singles like “Grace of God,” “No Regrets,” “Solo” and “Breakthrough,” all of which herald the punk-infused authenticity to come from the full album.

Grace muses, “I think each of the songs on this album represents how I’ve discovered a breakthrough internally and externally. I think breakthrough means that God can use every piece of something. He can use every moment. Nothing goes unused.”

For Grace Graber, who has long been a vocal mental health advocate who speaks hope to anyone else who shares her struggles with depression, PTSD and suicidal ideation, this means letting God embrace the often splintered landscapes of our own minds.

“I think breakthrough for me has been realizing I need to accept every single piece of my life as it is and learn to love it,” the songwriter adds.

Listeners will be introduced to more of those pieces through introspectful rock anthems like “In Between,” shimmery pop punk gems like “The Sign” and worship-leaning pauses in moments like “said You’re Like Me” and “Saved.” With top-tier production from longtime collaborator Blake Cross, The Breakthrough offers a collection of songs that walks in the musical tradition of Avril Lavigne but with all the earnesty of Relient K or Switchfoot. Graber’s own influences in early-aughts alternative rock are clear, but she also lends a fresh youthful voice energy that ushers a whole new generation of listeners into faith-forward punk.

From beginning to end, like each of the EPs that has come before, The Breakthrough is immediately approachable and authentic.

“I just want someone out there to listen to the album and go, ‘she seems like she could be my friend,’” Grace Graber says frankly. “I want to be there for the misfits. I want to be the person who doesn’t feel cool’s best friend. And I hope little girls see me and think, ‘wow, she’s being completely herself’ and feel inspired to go out and be themselves. I hope that they would see that every piece of their life was fashioned for a reason. Even though it probably seems broken to them, the way God’s light reflects off their life is going to be so beautiful.”