Tate McRae Delivers a Hypnotic Pop Stunner With "don't be sad"

Photo: Amy Gardner

At the onset of the year, we predicted that then 16-year-old rising artist Tate McRae was destined to become pop's next big thing. Well, 13 million plus monthly listeners later and it looks like we might just have a future in, well, telling the future. While our gift for divination unfortunately did not warn us of the ensuing cosmic shitstorm that was and is 2020, McRae's latest single continues to make good on the promise of a forthcoming pop star.

"don't be sad" is the latest in a string of singles, following McRae's praiseworthy debut EP, all the things i never said, released earlier this year. Taking a cue from a new generation of pop icons who have traded in iridescent glitz and glamour for dark and hypnotic soundscapes, "don't be sad" arrives as a single that sinks its teeth in and never quite lets go.

"I'm sorry I can't seem to do anything right / To be honest might delete this song tonight," coos McRae in a heavenly register that betrays her fleeting feelings of regret and betrayal. Similar sentiments, some thrown at herself and some at someone clearly not worth her time, float above an intoxicating fusion of dark pop and electronic production elements. The effect is a haunting track unafraid to face the storm ahead on, even if there is no silver lining in sight.

"don't be sad," which is slated to appear on an upcoming EP due out later this year, also arrives alongside a music video that takes us up and close and personal with McRae.