I
If you see a certain type of popular music as having a list of requirements, then the 20-year-old Canadian Tate McRae’s career meets all of those requirements. She has a background in children’s television, being the voice of Spot Splatter Splash in Lalaloopsy. Her online fame has translated into real-life success in the music industry, with a boost from established artist Billie Eilish who co-wrote her first single “Tear Myself Apart” with Finneas O’Connell. Her lyrics often touch on themes of bad relationships, teenage angst, and confidently declaring that she doesn’t mind being dumped because her ex will come back to her eventually. Her music blends elements of pop, trap, and big ballads with guitars that evoke traditional pop-punk style, often featuring AutoTune or a slurred vocal delivery that sounds like a petulant child.
Furthermore, her latest hit Greedy has gained immense popularity, not only topping the charts on Spotify as the most played song globally, but also being featured in approximately 4 million TikTok videos. Many of these videos showcase a trend known as the “tube girl hair flip transition”, which we won’t delve into too much as it may reinforce the idea that our culture is heading towards its demise.
McRae’s words suggest that there is a large amount of this type of content available. However, it is evident that this is a successful formula. Despite the abundance of Christmas songs dominating the UK charts last week, Greedy – which has achieved gold and platinum success in both the US and UK – managed to maintain its position in the Top 10, standing strong against the overwhelming presence of outdated jingle-bell tunes and utilizing the popular “tube girl hair flip” trend.
McRae’s first album released in 2022, titled I Used to Think I Could Fly, had a noticeably lower level of success. It was not a complete failure, but it also did not launch her into the same level of fame as her two most obvious musical influences, Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo. This could suggest that McRae’s main weakness lies in not having a unique selling point as strong as Eilish’s gothic melodrama and unique production style, or the intrigue surrounding Rodrigo’s real-life love triangle that supposedly inspired her hit song “Drivers License”. Ultimately, McRae’s success is dependent on the quality of her songs.
However, she has mentioned the difficulty of establishing an individual identity while being constrained by the modern pop industry’s practice of working with numerous collaborators. Her previous album, “I Used to Think I Could Fly,” included input from over 30 writers and producers, including Charlie Puth and her brother and main collaborator, O’Connell. Therefore, her upcoming album aims to limit the number of contributors in order to create a more cohesive sound.
The lyrics in Think Later focus on familiar themes of problematic relationships, emotional outbursts, and conflicts within friend groups (“she claimed to have my back, but she was really backstabbing”, “you’re half my age but you see me as a way out”, “I share too much about things I never intended to”). The track “Calgary” adds a Taylor Swift-like storyline about returning to one’s hometown. However, this album also features OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder as a co-executive producer, resulting in a more cohesive sound. The use of deep reverb links the electronic and guitar-driven tracks together.
At times, this results in profits. The song Greedy is highly memorable, featuring a catchy, repetitive guitar riff. Stay Done is a well-crafted, bittersweet acoustic ballad in the style of corporate alternative rock. The beat of Hurt My Feelings has a charmingly simple feel, reminiscent of the Neptunes’ productions from the early 2000s.
However, they are encompassed by an excess of tracks that, although well-crafted, contain predictable melodies or appear to be forced. In its pursuit of instant impact, Exes utilizes a formulaic rhythm that crosses the line from cheerful to aggravating. Portions of the album pass by without leaving a lasting impression: these songs could easily be played on the radio, but then again, a large portion of radio songs also pass by without leaving a lasting impression.
The search for a unique selling proposition (USP) has not resulted in a clear answer: McRae still meets many current expectations without breaking free from them. While there are some standout moments, the overall feeling is that of temporary pop, occupying a spot until something new emerges. It is uncertain how Tate McRae will react when that happens.
her
Alexis spent the week listening to her.
Fitness Coach – The Sensation
The Dutch indie band will release a new album next year, and their song “The Feeling” is nine minutes long. It begins with a melancholic and gradual pace, reminiscent of Lambchop’s style, before picking up speed and transitioning into a more lively and vibrant sound, ultimately returning to its original mood.
Source: theguardian.com
