On her debut, 2022's infectiously realized I Used to Think I Could Fly, singer/dancer Tate McRae further defines her angsty, candidly emotive pop sound. McRae, who broke through with her 2020 single "You Broke Me First," builds upon that song's introspective vibe, crafting deeply felt anthems that straddle the line between acoustic singer/songwriter balladry and more robustly produced, post-Billie Eilish alt-pop. Cuts like "Don't Come Back," "Hate Myself," and "She's All I Wanna Be" showcase her cozy yet still resonant vocals and knack for encapsulating issues like depression, drug abuse, and self-destructive toxic relationships. That McRae also manages to bring a hooky sense of pop joy to the album speaks to her growing maturity as an artist. ~ Matt Collar