Tate McRae has gained a reputation for creating catchy, infectious pop music and her new single “Sports car” is no exception. The Canadian singer’s new single has a strong beat and well-constructed melodies manufactured to make listeners dance.
The production on this song feels more held back than McRae’s previous album but this isn’t a setback. Rather, the stronger percussion and synth melodies make the song sound tighter and more thought out. The drum itself sounds large and booms, creating space in the otherwise narrow mix. The heavy presence of the syncopated rhythm is clearly there to create excitement and be the central energy of the song. McRae is also an accomplished dancer, so its no surprise that there is such a focus on the beat within her music.
A counter melody is shared across several different synths. The higher, sharper synth (which sounds similar to a record scratch) starts off the song, countering the drum beat and establishing some intrigue about the song from the outset. A more simple mallet synth takes over the melody in the second verse to create a subtle variation as the song moves. A distorted guitar and bass synth follow the kick drum to add emphasis to the chorus.
This use of strong, present rhythms and melodies perfectly countering each other is a staple of Tate McRae’s music and makes the song pop. The only critique of this song is that it’s simply too short. With a lack of a bridge or breakdown, the song can sound a little monotonous despite its efforts not to do so. In doing so, the song becomes minor in significance compared to other songs McRae has released.
Nevertheless, fans of the artist will enjoy this tease before the upcoming album So Close To What releases on the 21st of February.
Follow Tate McRae: INSTAGRAM // WEBSITE // YOUTUBE // SPOTIFY
