The 5 must-hear songs from Tate McRae's new album, Think Later

Tate McRae has quickly risen as an "it girl" in pop music over the last few years and the runaway success of her recent single "Greedy" is proof she's here to stay. The song has gone platinum in Canada, hit No. 3 on the Billboard Global 200 chart and racked up north of 436 million streams on Spotify alone. 

And now, the album is here. Think Later, McRae's sophomore release, follows 2022's I Used to Think I Could Fly. Although her subject matter has remained the same (she's still the princess of confessional pop), there's a cohesiveness to the record and honing of her sound, thanks in large part to the executive production of Ryan Tedder (Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Adele). 

Think Later has big, high-energy pop moments, grittier, more emotional slow-downs and earwormy hooks galore. Here are the must-hear songs — other than "Greedy," of course. 

Get into CBC Music's faves from Think Later below. 

'Cut My Hair' 

On the opening track of the album, McRae plays on the trope of women cutting, or doing something extreme to their hair, post-breakup. For some it's about shedding the past relationship by physically altering their appearance, to distance themselves (at least, symbolically) from the person they were when dating whoever broke their hearts. For McRae on "Cut My Hair," it's about levelling up and showing her ex just what he's missing. The song was written by the same team who wrote "Greedy" (McRae, Tedder, Amy Allen, Jasper Harris), but it's a mellower pop moment, with down-tempo rhythm and pumping bass that adds gravitas to the heaviness of the lyrics: "Singing 'bout the same old stupid-ass things/ Sad girl bit got a little boring." — Kelsey Adams

'Run for the Hills'

McRae has proven that she's especially adept at navigating complicated romances in her songs, and "Run for the Hills" is a prime example of that. On this track, she's well aware that she's caught in a toxic relationship, admitting: "Maybe the danger's covered by the thrill/ Cause I know I should be running for the hills." Her voice is desperate, words spilling out like she's trying to convince herself that she's in control, confessing in the chorus that they're "never gon' ever be more than just something that's f--kin' me up." But the reality is that she's hopelessly obsessed, trapped in a purgatory of lust and repeated heartbreak. — Melody Lau

'We're Not Alike' 

"We're Not Alike" slides into the tracklist right after McRae's latest hit single, "Exes," giving the album a sharp turn from a trap-pop kiss-off to a guitar-forward flip-off. "Said she was a girl's girl but that's a lie/ said she had my back but she had the knife/ I could never do it once then she did it twice," McRae sings on the chorus, drenched in reverb and regret. Built on a chugging bass riff, "We're Not Alike" was co-written between Rob Bisel (Doja Cat, Kendrick Lamar, SZA), Brittany Amaradio (a.k.a. Delacey, who's co-written with the Chainsmokers, Demi Lovato and Halsey) and McRae, and showcases a more vulnerable side to the singer. In the song's video, McRae's usual show-stopping choreography is absent, with the singer instead facing off against her seated self: one side the aggrieved party; the other the guilty. "We're Not Alike" signals the beginning of a mid-album slowdown, and it's a welcome shift between the (beloved) bangers. — Holly Gordon

'Calgary' 

You said that I always seem to land on my feet
But I got problems hanging like a chain 'round my neck
Trying but I'm barely seeing past 23
The best of me right now is looking a lot like a mess

"Calgary" is one of the most revealing songs on the record; one of a few songs that doesn't centre around a breakup or relationship, and really zeroes in on McRae's inner world. Named after the singer's hometown, the song finds her singing about memories of her youth and feeling like she can't escape the things she's endured. Over minimal production led by pared-back guitar, McRae bares it all with lyrics about substance abuse, struggling to see a future for herself and feeling trapped by the same fears she had at 15. — Kelsey Adams

'Plastic Palm Trees'

On this soft, introspective track, McRae reflects on a breakup against a backdrop of Californian imagery. "Thought it was real, thought that it was worth it/ out the window everything was looking perfect/ caught in a dream," she sings over simple guitar-picking. The melody underscores the bittersweetness, as she not-so-subtly shades an unfaithful ex. A swirl of emotions collide, as McRae expresses sadness as she moves toward healing. It's heartfelt but illuminating — the most striking part of the song is the metaphor of love as shiny plastic trees, which helps listeners understand McRae's realization that she's been feigning happiness ("In the mirror really looked like I was happy"). It's refreshing to see her portray how matters of the heart can be confusing, which makes "Plastic Palm Trees" a gripping album-closer. — Natalie Harmsen