Learning to love: Tate McRae

Learning to love: Tate McRae

Author: Vulture February 18, 2025 Duration: 43:59
Tate McRae's billions of streams and perfectly crafted hits can feel almost algorithmic, like an AI trained on 20 years of pop music. In anticipation of McRae’s third album So Close to What, out this Friday, we dissect McRae’s "SimplePop" formula, from her strategic, indescript vocal delivery to expert "vibe snatching" of Y2K sounds.  Through singles like "exes” and “sports car,” Charlie and Reanna trace her sonic lineage and discover why pop music needs artists who refine sounds as much as those who revolutionize them, seeing if there’s room to love her music in the process. This dancer-turned-singer might not be the next Britney Spears, but she could be this generation's Paula Abdul. More Watch Adam Neely's "Scotch Snaps in Hip Hop" Songs Discussed Tate McRae - "sports car" Tate McRae - "greedy" Tate McRae - "you broke me first" Tate McRae - "One Day" Tate McRae - "exes" Lisa - "Money" Halsey - "100 Letters" Cardi B - "I Like It" Beyoncé - "Drunk in Love" Ariana Grande - "7 Rings" Ariana Grande - "thank u, next" Tate McRae - "it's okay im okay"  Ying Yang Twins - "Wait (The Whisper Song)" The Lonely Island - "Bing Bong Brothers" The Pussycat Dolls - "Buttons" Missy Elliott - "Get Your Freak On" Missy Elliott feat. Ludacris - "Gossip Folks" Britney Spears - "Toxic" Britney Spears - "Gimme More" Cassie - "Me & U" Paula Abdul - "Straight Up" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever wonder why a certain pop song gets stuck in your head for days, or how a simple chord change can make you feel a specific way? Switched on Pop digs into those questions with a unique blend of expert analysis and genuine curiosity. Hosts Nate Sloan, a musicologist, and Charlie Harding, a songwriter, act as friendly guides through the intricate world of popular music. They don't just review hits; they dissect them, exploring the craft behind the catchiness. In each episode, you'll hear them break down a track's structure, its historical context, and the production techniques that give it its emotional punch. This isn't a dry academic lecture, though. It's a conversation between two people who love music, unpacking everything from timeless classics to today's viral trends to reveal why pop works the way it does. The Switched on Pop podcast, from Vulture, makes the familiar strange again, encouraging you to listen more deeply. You'll start to hear the clever harmonies hidden in a chart-topper, the rhythmic patterns borrowed from decades past, and the lyrical choices that resonate with millions. It's for anyone who has ever tapped a foot to a radio song and then wondered about the mechanics of that reaction. Tune in and you might just find that your favorite songs have layers you've never noticed before.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Switched on Pop
Podcast Episodes
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