Tate McRae, It’s OK I’m OK Review

by Eliana Fermi

In a world saturated with fleeting pop singles, Tate McRae’s latest release, “It’s OK I’m OK,” is a missed opportunity to stand out. The lyrics remind us that vulnerability can be a catharsis and inspire empowerment. Released on September 12, 2024, McRae weaves her unique brand of introspective pop, drawing listeners into a personal journey of acceptance, heartbreak, and self-reclamation.

The track opens with a haunting, minimalist synth riff—an introduction that feels almost intimate, as though McRae is allowing her audience into a fragile moment of self-reflection. Her vocals are laid back and unguarded for the verse. The pre-chorus melody has impressive leaps from her mid-range to her falsetto, which she executes beautifully. The chorus loses all the energy and disappoints with a hip-hop spoken part that leaves the song’s development and shape lacking and feeling underwhelming. Furthermore, it does not anchor the song’s emotional depth.

Lyrically, McRae navigates the challenges of mental health and healing, delivering lines with both tenderness and conviction. Lines such as “I’m not perfect, but I’m not broken,” encapsulate her ongoing battle between vulnerability and resilience, a theme that resonates deeply in today’s climate of mental health awareness.

McRae’s vocal delivery is, as always, a highlight. As I mentioned before, her voice shifts from her chest-driven sound to her robust falsetto, showing her ability to impress with her singing skills. Produced by ILYA, the production mirrors the lack of an impactful song progression; layers of synth and percussion enter gradually, giving the track an expansive feel, which does give it a sense of development. However, the generic hi-hat pattern entering at 1:32 and low energy during the chorus fails to bring anything new to the table. McRae’s defiant proclamation of self-worth should be juxtaposed with a swelling and anthemic chorus to create a sense of emotional evolution that invites the listener to experience a parallel catharsis.

None the less, McRae’s lyrics come from a deeply personal place, the themes of self-doubt, healing, and emotional resilience are universally relatable. Listeners will find comfort in the chorus’s words, which offers validation and hope, transforming “It’s OK” into a powerful mantra.

In many ways, “It’s OK I’m OK” marks a continuation of the themes explored in McRae’s previous work—emotional growth, the messiness of young adulthood, and the search for inner peace—but there’s an undeniable missed opportunity as this track feels formulaic.

“It’s OK I’m OK” could have highlighted McRae’s powerful vocals with a dynamic chorus and instrument parts that build energy and develop in ways that are not the norm, well, at least with a few surprises. That would have made this single more than just another formulaic pop track. Like the title says, it’s OK, that’s the short of it!

Connect with Tate McRae: Website |