Tate McRae Decided to Live in the Moment—And Now She’s Taking Over the World
During her teenage years in Calgary, Tate McRae spent a lot of her time engaged in ballet training, competing in dance competitions, and experiencing high school romantic dramas that inspired her songwriting. One of her favourite pastimes was watching music videos on YouTube, which she did in part to improve her dancing skills. However, as she delved deeper, she discovered a particular era that captivated her: the early 2000s. Tate believes these were some of the most iconic music videos ever created, featuring legendary artists like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Madonna. She cherishes these videos because they represent a complete package – from the singing to the dancing to the visuals – something that she thinks people don't see as much these days.
The 20-year-old used her energy to create a powerful single called "Greedy" in September, along with a music video filmed in the brightly lit halls of an ice hockey rink. McRae gave it her all, dancing with a group of performers in crop tops and goalkeeper gloves, whipping her hair while moving across barbell benches, and even doing the splits on the reception desk. However, it was the song itself that proved McRae's arrival onto the music scene. Produced flawlessly by a team that included veteran hitmaker Ryan Tedder, it paid tribute to Timbaland's pop era of the mid-2000s and Nelly Furtado's album Loose. The song's hooks were plentiful, making it a sensation among music lovers.
McRae revealed that she wrote her song "Greedy" at the beginning of the year, but after writing many songs, she couldn't find a suitable single. Her earlier EPs and her first album, which debuted only last year, featured deeply personal "sad girl" bedroom pop, reminiscent of Billie Eilish's early work. "Greedy" demonstrated a shift into something more lively. McRae admitted that she was scared of the song's production and how pop it was since she had never created an upbeat record before. Ryan encouraged her, saying if the song made her nervous, it was a good thing. She realized she could either play it safe and create something familiar, or take a chance and push herself to the next level. As McRae sings on the opening track of her new album, Think Later, "Sad girl got a bit boring."
Encourage her to take things up a notch - her tune boasts a smooth yet sprightly beat, paired with amusing “whoop!” sounds that made it blow up on TikTok, leading to its rapid rise in the charts. When we spoke in late November, shortly after her consecutive gigs at the Billboard Music Awards and on Saturday Night Live, which ended with a dance routine worthy of Britney Spears, McRae took a brief breather at her childhood residence in Calgary. Although she had intended to continue promoting her work in Los Angeles, where she currently resides, visa paperwork hindered even pop stars.
She expresses that it has been an incredible adventure. In fact, the experience has been so unusual that she cannot fully articulate it. Even glancing at her name amongst her heroes on the music charts. The other day Ryan was in India, and he shared videos of the song playing in various shops as he walked down the road. It was astonishing to her that her melody has spread worldwide. It's a remarkable feeling, and she is still attempting to comprehend it all.
McRae and her team took advantage of the moment when "Greedy" started to become popular. They decided to release her sophomore album earlier and spent two intensive weeks in the studio to create new music. This resulted in the equally contagious "Exes" single, which was released quickly, along with a high-energy music video paying homage to Christina Aguilera's Stripped era. McRae explains that they wrote and completed the song in just 90 minutes, before sending it to the label and releasing it less than two weeks later. The music video was recorded just four days before its release. The whole process has been very exciting and unpredictable, with real-time reactions from fans. Although it appears to have been a hectic time, it has been just as chaotic behind the scenes.
Image credit goes to Beth Saravo from Baeth, while styling is credited to Brett Alan Nelson.
To be fair, the sense of impulsiveness suits the topics of the album and the meaning of the song "Think Later," which is the album's title. By focussing on the music, it becomes clear that the album tells the tale of McRae's first relationship breakdown and how she has become a stronger person as a result. In the rousing song "Grave," she sings about reaching a limit of trying to save something that is already lost.
She expresses that she has entered a new stage in her life. She feels more mature now and believes she has faced some difficult situations that were once too fearful to discuss. In the past 18 months, she followed her instincts and followed her heart when making decisions. This led her to have some amazing experiences and relationships, even falling in love deeply. Unfortunately, as a result of her approach, she also faced some negative consequences. When you lead with intuition, the outcomes can be felt more intensely. This is reflected in her album.
The blog talks about how the artist's carefree personality has resulted in her collaborating with her primary partners, which include Tedder, Amy Allen, and Jasper Harris. She mentions how they established a deep connection right from the start. The artist also emphasizes that her studio experience was fun and pressure-free, which eventually led to her creating a more alluring and mature sound. In addition to this, she found herself a group of girlfriends in L.A. who are also pursuing a career in the same field. The support and advice these women offer have been indispensable to the artist, especially during moments of uncertainty. Among her close friends is Olivia Rodrigo, with whom she even shared the screen in her "Bad Idea Right?" music video, along with Iris Apatow and Madison Hu.
McRae believes that the entertainment sector once encouraged female rivalry, sparking conflicts among artists. However, it is extraordinary that her circle of friends now provides mutual support to one another without any signs of jealousy or envy. They all take pleasure in each other's triumphs and accomplishments. While McRae highly respects Olivia's musical abilities, she treasures her even more as a friend. According to McRae, Olivia is not just a talented musician, but also the most excellent friend one could ever hope to have.
It's possible that McRae's success with her album Think Later is due to her unique style. She delves into her personal history, from growing up in the suburbs of Calgary to her rise to fame on So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation. McRae also incorporates elements of the 2000s era, channeling the raunchier style of artists like Furtado and Aguilera. The album's cover shows McRae in classic pop star attire of a black tank top and briefs, but with a humorous twist - knee-high ice hockey goalie pads, reflecting her Calgary roots. The album is a reflection of McRae's identity, unapologetically showcasing who she is as an artist.
To create the visual aspect of her project, McRae collaborated with creative director Bradley J. Calder and director Aerin Moreno. She praises their ability to understand and execute her vision, even when her ideas seem crazy. McRae also notes that they helped her move beyond the melancholic persona she had previously embodied and explore new styles. Before, she often wore casual attire during performances, but with their guidance, she is now embracing a more playful and energetic aesthetic, as evidenced by her recent performance at London's G-A-Y club, where she danced with abandon in hot pants and knee-high boots.
It's rare to find a pop star who truly wants to be a pop star, but McRae is one of them. She confesses to being a tomboy at heart, preferring comfortable sports clothes like basketball shirts, boys' shorts and high socks. However, as she grows older, she wants to show her more feminine side. With the help of her genius stylist Joanie, McRae has created a sporty but sexy look that feels like her for the first time. This is in line with the mantra of her album: live now, think later. McRae is now focused on getting her visa sorted, taking things one step at a time.
