Slower

"Slower" is a song by Canadian singer Tate McRae. It was released on March 3, 2021 through RCA Records as the fourth single from McRae's second extended play, Too Young to Be Sad. The song was written by McRae, Nolan Lambroza, Russell Chell, Zack Zadek and Zoe Moss.

Background
Tate McRae originally released the demo version of the song on her YouTube series 'Create With Tate' with the title "Ew Feelings (Aka Slower)". Speaking to Melinda Fakuade of Nylon, she recalled writing the song at the age of 14 and initially loving it, but being reluctant to release it years later. She noted that once the song was re-recorded and reproduced, it sounded completely different. In an interview with Wonderland she remarked about the song, "It was honestly about a guy who was being super flakey with me and I was fed up with always having to guess with him. It talks about how if he wasn’t going to make up his mind, I was going to move on with my life." When discussing the song with Travis Mills of Apple Music, she mused that the song has taken on new meaning for her at the age of 17, representing the need to live in the moment.

Critical reception
Audrey Brandes of music site Sheesh Media, described the track as simultaneously haunting and melodic, stating that McRae is on track to being crowned this generations's queen of breakup ballads. Brandes further praises McRae's vocals and emotional delivery, while remarking that McRae adeptly captures the complexities arising from the uncertainties of a relationship moving too fast, doubts about the other person's feelings and ambiguity about who both parties will be in the future. Brandes also applauds the production of the song noting that, "The chorus sounds like falling into oneself, simultaneously climactic and desperate. The vocals build in intensity, ultimately layering over each other and evoking a sense of multidimensionality – all the versions of herself past, present, and future existing at once." Skope Magazine described the song as instantly relatable and showcasing, self-reflective, intimate lyrics. Sam Murphy of music site 'the interns' remarked that McRae is fast becoming the queen of the sad jam, and described the track as warped pop song with a heavy emotional backbone, noting that the emotion McRae brings to her voice adds weight to her already piercing lyrics.

Personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal.


 * Nolan Lambroza – producer, lyricist, composer
 * Russell Chell – producer, lyricist, composer
 * Tate McRae – lyricist, composer, associated performer
 * Zack Zadek – lyricist, composer
 * Zoe Moss – lyricist, composer
 * Dave Cook – misc. prod.
 * Dave Kutch – mastering engineer
 * Eric Palmquist – mixing engineer

Live performances
In March 2021 performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live! The performance recreated McRae's first viral video on YouTube, initially featuring her playing the keyboard against the background from that first video, before panning over to an elaborate and immaculately lit set and once a again closing with McRae playing the keyboard.

Lyrics
Playing cool makes me lose my mind

I can't be someone I don't recognize

I'm not the type to have to say it twice

Or wait for you 'til the end of the night

I've been falling fast and you don't seem to move

But is it worse for me

If I tell the truth?

And are you just a poison that I shouldn't use?

Wish I could say to you

What I can't say to you

We could take it slower

Wait until we're older

But I might be somebody

You might not even know her

I'm going through changes

It's a roller-coaster

But I might be somebody

You might not even know her

We could take it slower

We could take it slower

Who knows who I'll be tomorrow

But I hope that you still like her the same (like her the same)

We might end up strangers somehow

You should get to know me today

I've been falling fast and you don't seem to move

But is it worse for me

If I tell the truth? (Tell the truth)

And are you just a poison that I shouldn't use?

Wish I could say to you

What I can't say to you

We could take it slower

Wait until we're older

But I might be somebody

You might not even know her

I'm going through changes

It's a roller-coaster

But I might be somebody

You might not even know her

We could take it slower

We could take it slower

I've been falling fast and you don't seem to move

But is it worse for me

If I tell the truth? (Tell the truth)

And are you just a poison that I shouldn't use?

Wish I could say to you

What I can't say to you

We could take it slower

Wait until we're older

But I might be somebody

You might not even know her

I'm going through changes (I'm going through changes)

It's a roller-coaster (it's a roller-coaster)

But I might be somebody (I might be somebody)

You might not even know her

We could take it slower (slower)

We could take it slower