Mae Muller isn’t trying to reinvent herself here – if anything, “Tell You That” feels like her leaning further into who she already is, just with a bit more clarity and confidence, as this song is messy in a way like she’s stopped worrying about smoothing the edges and is just letting things be what they are.
The sound taps into that nostalgic British pop space – there are hints of early 2000s and 2010s energy – but it doesn’t feel stuck there. It’s bright, a little chaotic, and packed with hooks, but there’s also something slightly off-kilter about it that keeps it interesting. It doesn’t feel too polished, which works in its favour. The lyrics is where the track really lands, as “Tell You That” sits in that all-too-familiar headspace of overthinking a relationship – reading into everything, questioning small changes, and spiralling a bit even when you know you probably shouldn’t be. Mae doesn’t try to make herself look good here either; Mae admits to being needy, frustrated, and maybe a little irrational at times, which makes it feel more real than most pop songs about relationships.
Of the track, Mae says: “Tell You That is a song about being insecure in your relationship, your partner hasn’t been acting as affectionate, and it’s causing you to ruminate in your head. Do they hate me? Do they even like me? They don’t look at me the way they used to! These are all thoughts we have had at some point in a relationship. There’s an element of exasperation, like, it’s not that hard, just be nice to me!”
There’s a nice balance to this song as well, as it is vulnerable, but not overly heavy, as there are moments where it almost feels like she’s rolling her eyes at herself mid-thought, which gives the whole thing a bit of personality. It’s honest without being overly dramatic – just someone trying to make sense of their feelings in real time. Visually, the song represents Mae’s story mostly in her bedroom, and it fits that vibe perfectly. The song feels personal and grounded, like you’re watching someone work through things in their own space. There’s a nostalgic, slightly dreamy feel to it, but it still feels very “now.”
In the end, “Tell You That” doesn’t tie everything up neatly – and that’s kind of the point. It captures that awkward middle ground where you’re aware of your emotions but haven’t quite figured out what to do with them yet. It’s not about having the answers, just being honest about the mess.
