Tate McRae “THINK LATER” Album Review

THINK LATER

Tate McRae

• Genre: Pop
• Date: 08 Dec, 2023
• Content: explicit
• Region: NGA
• Track(s): 14
• ℗ 2023 RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment

Tate McRae made an impressive debut with “You Broke Me First,” a brooding bedroom pop song that went viral on TikTok in 2020. Recognizing her potential, RCA Records restructured its marketing strategy around her. However, it’s worth noting that the formula that led to her initial success, which included original dances, trend participation, and teaser snippets, hasn’t always worked for her. Although “She’s All I Wanna Be” and “Uh Oh” didn’t perform as expected, Tate’s latest release, “Think Later,” shows promise. The album, which has just been released, presents a more mature sound with relatable lyrics that showcase her growth as an artist. As she continues to evolve, fans will hope to see Tate’s talent shine through and garner the recognition she deserves.

Interestingly, McRae has taken a unique approach to her music videos and choreography, a lost art in the era of unsustainable virality and untouchable mega-stars. She has focused on pairing an inescapable chorus with engaging visuals and excellent choreography. McRae’s background in dance has played a role in her creative process, as she demonstrates a clear understanding of range and malleability in her music. Overall, seeing an artist who values creativity and skill as much as McRae does is refreshing.

Album Art

The album artwork showcases Tate looking confident and alluring in black lingerie, striking a pose for the camera against a dark backdrop. The album’s title is cleverly incorporated into the design, displayed on what appears to be a hockey garb. McRae, the photographer behind the shoot, captures Tate’s beauty and elegance while maintaining a professional and respectful atmosphere. Overall, the album cover is a visually stunning and tasteful representation of the artist and her work.

Tracks And Features

McRae appears to be grappling with a sense of ambiguity about how much of her true self she should expose through her music. Nevertheless, she seems most comfortable pushing the boundaries and exploring new territory. In the opening track of her album, “Cut My Hair,” she delivers a fiery performance, clearly distinguishing between her two distinct personas: Pop Girl Tate and Sad Girl Tate. In the lyrics, she boldly declares that she’s moving on from her sorrowful disposition, stating that the “sad girl bit got a little boring.”

McRae has been very thoughtful about the artists she chose to collaborate with for her new album. She carefully selected only a few collaborators from her debut album who could help her achieve her creative vision. Ryan Tedder, highly regarded for his expertise in crafting mid-tier pop hits, was brought on board as the executive producer. He worked alongside talented songwriters Amy Allen and Jasper Harris to create McRae’s “Think Later.”

The title track, “Think Later,” from the album, is undeniably buried towards the end of the second half, but don’t let that fool you. It has an intense bass-heavy sound that lands between the gang vocals of M.I.A.’s 2013 single “Bad Girls” and the bold Atlanta attitude of Cherish’s 2006 hit “Do It To It.” McRae’s signature breathy delivery establishes her core ethos: do it for the plot. She sets the scene by singing, “Laughing in the backseat of the black car.” She believes you have to take things too far if you want to have a good night. Her phone is off, drinks are flowing, and her hands wander. The title track is a decent ballad, and McRae’s voice has a deep husk that adds to the emotional depth of the song.

On the electro R&B cut “Run for the Hills,” McRae escapes into a haze of infatuation and considers whether “Maybe the danger’s covered by the thrill.” She doesn’t worry about the consequences for now. The most potent ballad on the album is ‘Grave’, where McRae delivers a powerful and much-needed wake-up call that is both poignant and relatable. “Messier” is another standout track where the singer embraces her sharpness, providing a promise of mutually assured destruction that is both thrilling and memorable. Even though the swelling chorus doesn’t quite reach the heights it feels like it’s building towards, the song remains enjoyable and well-crafted pop music.

Tate’s song “Greedy” portrays her spontaneous approach towards love and relationships while emphasizing the importance of self-love and personal growth. The hockey reference in the music video is cleverly used to enhance the song’s underlying theme further.

 

In “Hurt My Feelings,” McRae vividly describes the emotional turmoil she experiences as she watches her ex-partner move on with someone else. Through her lyrics, she paints a powerful and imaginative picture of herself as a homewrecker wishing to break up a new relationship. This theme is reminiscent of Ariana Grande’s hit song “Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored,” which similarly explores the emotions of wanting someone already taken.

McRae’s ‘Think Later’ is just phenomenal. The song ‘Exes’ is a favourite; it’s dark and addictive like Ariana’s ‘Bloodline’. You can hear the influence of Ariana Grande’s 2019 pop hit ‘Thank U, Next’ throughout the album. Ariana’s album was a turning point as she emerged from a tough time of grief and heartbreak. Similarly, McRae’s ‘Think Later’ is her response to emotional manipulation and professional struggles, and it’s a powerful statement of feminine authority.

The song “Calgary” discusses the difficulties one faces growing up. In “Guilty Conscience,” the artist narrates a story that reminds one of Bonnie and Clyde. Fans of Olivia Rodrigo might find similarities in the song “Favorite Crime.” The artist also touches upon challenging experiences like being betrayed by people she considered “friends.” Through her music, the artist captures the raw emotions and vulnerability of navigating relationships and facing the consequences of one’s actions. Her lyrics remind fans that life’s struggles can shape and define us, ultimately leading to personal growth and resilience.

In “We’re Not Alike,” she describes how one of her friends didn’t have her best interests at heart. She sings on “Want That Too” about an older person who took advantage of her naivety. However, despite all she’s been through, the artist doesn’t permanently lose her temper. It can be difficult for her to leave harmful situations because she acknowledges that she has made mistakes, too. After committing her errors, the artist admits her shortcomings and difficulty escaping unhealthy relationships. This self-awareness highlights her inner development as she works through the challenges of relationships and life events, giving her music more depth.

The catalogues of many artists often have similar recurring themes and tropes. In “Think Later,” Dua Lipa explores a balance between hyper-personal experiences and hedonistic approaches seen in the works of other artists like Rodrigo and Grande. While some of the ballad-based songs in the album don’t quite hit the mark, Dua Lipa’s pop-girl playbook-inspired tracks, reminiscent of Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears, are a treat to listen to and get you on your feet. Overall, “Think Later” is a remarkable album that portrays the complexity of human emotions in a relatable and inspiring way. It is a must-listen for anyone who has ever experienced heartbreak or decided not to take love too seriously.

Tracklist

NO	TITLE	TIME
1	cut my hair	2:55
2	greedy	2:09
3	run for the hills	2:23
4	hurt my feelings	2:02
5	grave	3:13
6	stay done	2:51
7	exes	2:39
8	we’re not alike	3:00
9	calgary	2:20
10	messier	3:57
11	think later	2:13
12	guilty conscience	2:32
13	want that too	3:10
14	plastic palm trees	2:52

Album Summary

The album ‘Think Later’ may not be a groundbreaking pop music work, but it is full of energy, modernity, and pop maximalism that will delight fans of the genre. While some of the tracks in the middle section may not match up to the big singles in terms of spiky melodrama, they still offer a pleasant listening experience. Overall, these 14 tracks showcase McRae’s potential as an artist, and while they may not be perfect, they are still worth a listen for anyone who enjoys a good pop album. With catchy hooks and infectious beats, ‘Think Later’ captures the essence of contemporary pop music. The album’s diverse range of sounds and McRae’s confident vocals make for an enjoyable and refreshing listening experience. While it may not push boundaries, it serves as a testament to McRae’s talent and promises even greater things to come in the future.

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