Singer Tate McRae has sparked a design controversy with her ultra light Helvetica font choice for her new single cover, Housewife. While some fans and creatives are horrified, others see it as a throwback to the early 2000s. One X user even threatened, “She will pay for her crimes,” while another joked, “It’s grotesque tbh.” Critics argue that Tate McRae has no reason to use such a light font, pointing to album covers of the 2000s like Britney’s I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll and Madonna’s Bedtime Stories as examples. The debate over typography has reignited, with some seeing it as a step back in time and others as a bold move.

For more on the impact of design choices in the music industry, check out why K-pop group IVE’s new album cover felt so unsettling or Phoebe Bridgers’ ‘internet-free’ album campaign. Whether this move is a sign of the times or a misstep, it’s clear that Tate McRae has set the stage for a lively debate.

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