Tate McRae - So Close To What
by Ellie Polen
So Close To What by Tate McRae is the perfect soundtrack for a girls’ night, especially in my last semester of college. As a young woman, this album’s focus on the struggles of growing older from McRae’s 21-year-old perspective is especially relatable.
With exciting features from Flo Milli as well as her current boyfriend, The Kid Laroi, this album is an exciting and fresh listen. Blending nostalgic early 2000s club beats with blunt and confident lyricism, it’s her boldest, most self-assured work yet. Whether you need a hype up for a night out, or just want to sing your heart out to relatable pop anthems, this album has got it all.
Even while on the world tour for her second album THINK LATER in December 2023, McRae was hard at work crafting So Close To What, ultimately releasing it just over a year later. This rapid turnaround is a testament to her relentless work ethic and love for the creative process.
During her final show on the THINK LATER World Tour at Madison Square Garden, McRae debuted a surprise performance of her first single from the new album, “It’s Ok I’m Ok.” McRae and her dancers learned the entire routine the day before the performance, proving once again her remarkable speed and dedication. This track incorporates a 2000s-inspired melody in the verses, with a uniquely spoken chorus. A main standout about this song was the show-stopping music video, which has received over 34 million views on YouTube. She took inspiration from Britney Spears and The Pussycat Dolls to create a cinematic masterpiece, mixing nostalgic storytelling with compelling visuals and strong dancing skills, all set on a busy New York City street.
The album kicks off with “Miss Possessive,” a fiery track infused with Y2K energy. Driven by a pulsating beat and infectious electronic synths, its catchy melody sets the perfect tone for the record. In it, McRae takes on a confident persona, warning a supposed “friend” to stay away from her man. “Take home whoever walks in / Just keep your eyes off him,” she sings while riding this hypnotic melody.
“Dear god,” one highly–anticipated track, features upbeat production and a heartbreaking narrative – pleading with a higher power to erase the lingering memories of a past love. McRae paints vivid scenes of a relationship that still haunts her, confessing, “Dear God / Take his kiss right out of my brain / Take the pleasure out of my pain / Take the way he'd used to say, ‘I love you.’” Yet, by the end of the chorus, she admits the painful truth – she’s still drawn to this person, a concept with which many fans resonate.
Another vulnerable moment on the album unfolds with “Purple lace bra,” a stunning and personal track about McRae’s complicated relationship with the media. The track starts with a symphonic buildup that blends into the melody for the remainder of the song. McRae’s vocals masterfully contrast raw desperation in the verses with a polished, airy chorus, showcasing a striking balance between emotional intensity and musical artistry. Lyrically, McRae lets out her frustrations about being overly sexualized and feeling unheard. In a punchy bridge, you can hear her annoyance as she yells, “I'm losin' my mind, I'm losin' my head / You only listen when I'm undressed.”
The third single off of this album, “Sports car,” was a bold sonic departure for McRae, as the chorus is delivered entirely in a whisper. The song's lyrics are undeniably sultry, and its accompanying music video matches that intensity. That music video is unique in that it focuses on high fashion, with McRae stunning in 12 different looks throughout the video, aligning herself with some of the biggest pop stars known for their iconic fashion moments in music videos.
While much of the album is filled with upbeat energy inspired by McRae’s alter ego Tatiana, it also features some slower moments. “Means I care” and “Nostalgia” share roots with some of her older, more melancholic work. “Nostalgia” is the most stripped down of the entire album, featuring her vocals over a simple guitar. In this song, McRae shares brief anecdotes about her family, while the chorus reflects on the album’s overarching theme, as she mentions she’s “so close,” yet still uncertain of what exactly she’s chasing.
This album is truly what every young woman needs right now, with a balance between fun, danceable pop anthems and introspective, slower tracks. If you and your friends aren’t playing this album on full blast before a night out, you should probably find some new friends who will.