Think Later received a score of 70 out of 100 on review aggregator
Metacritic based on 10 critics' reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reception.
The Telegraphs
Neil McCormick found that its "mix of
trap grooves and synth balladry is perfectly of the moment, lacking the boldness of a truly original talent. Yet there is something appealing in the sweet melodies and sour attitude of a singer who sounds like she might actually be starting to enjoy herself".
NMEs Sophie Williams opined that the album is "somewhat remarkable for its evolutions in McRae's delivery and attitude" as it "continues to position [her] as a much more versatile prospect". Michael Cragg of
The Observer wrote that the album "feels like the perfect vehicle for mainstream ubiquity" as "songs such as 'Exes' and the rib-rattling title track continue down 'Greedy's pop-
R&B route, a melodic pocket that suits McRae's rapid-fire delivery". Otis Robinson of
DIY felt that the album "doesn't come close to reinventing the wheel (or pop), but it does drench itself within a pop maximalism full of fuel, energy and modernity". Robin Murray of
Clash judged that it is as if "by utilising collaboration she's learned to discover her own voice, through listening to other people's. A succinct 14-track demonstration of her palpable skills,
Think Later presents Tate McRae in full 360".
Alexis Petridis of
The Guardian wrote that the "lyrics stick with the [...] bad boyfriends, bedroom-door-slamming angst and friendship group drama" and highlighted "Greedy", "Stay Done" and "Hurt My Feelings", but commented that they are "surrounded by a surfeit of songs that, while well made, feature melodies that always head where you'd expect – or try too hard". Petridis concluded that McRae is "fitting a lot of currently popular boxes without escaping them". Ed Power of the
Irish Examiner called
Think Later "a solid album. Yet it's easy to imagine edgier production bringing out the darkness roiling under tracks such as 'Cut My Hair' and 'Greedy'". Arwa Haider of the
Financial Times felt that "at points, it does seem like she's trying on different parts for size (temptress; wounded lover; frenemy), but there's no doubting McRae's versatility, and she is always an engaging performer". Reviewing the album for
Pitchfork, Jaeden Pinder described it as "full of homogeneous
trap-pop ballads devoted to one-dimensional introspection" and remarked that it "feels anonymous: stuck romanticizing the negative in an attempt to prove her seriousness as a singer. Her music is strongest when she tosses the ballads in the bin". Pinder also likened
Think Later to
SZA's "love-hate yearning" and
the Weeknd's "atmospheric
alt-R&B." Michael Cragg said the album produced "a litany of trap-pop smashes", Brittany Spanos said it had
Think Later a "bombastic, confident, sexy
dance-pop sound". == Accolades ==