After blowing up in 2020 with her viral song “you broke me first,” Tate McRae has fought for a place amongst the new generation of pop idols such as Olivia Rodrigo and Sabrina Carpenter, and she may have just earned her spot with the release of her third studio album So Close to What. The album, which secured McRae her first number-one spot on the Billboard Top 200, was released on February 21st, and has produced several radio hits such as “It’s OK I’m OK,” “2 Hands,” and “Sports Car.”
Outside of these popular singles, the album has both highs and lows. The project begins with the former, as “Miss Possessive” was immediately one of my favorites after my first listen. Having Sydney Sweeney open the album with an iconic, “No, seriously, get your hands off my man,” was a really fun easter egg for those who recognized the actress’s voice.
“bloodonmyhands” was another song that stayed on repeat in my car for weeks after the release of the album. I had never heard of Flo Milli before her feature on this track, and I really enjoyed her verse on this song.
Additionally, “Purple Lace Bra” was one of my favorites, especially after reading the lyrics and looking into the song’s overall message. McRae did a great job exploring the complex emotions connected to feelings objectified in the music industry. The song dives deep into the emotional toll of being praised for physical appearance rather than the hard work she has put into her music.
There were, however, some forgettable tracks in the second half of the album such as “Like I Do” and “Means I Care.” While these were still enjoyable to listen to, they didn’t stand out as anything outstanding compared to other songs.
Overall, McRae did an excellent job at paying homage to a 2000’s sound reminiscent of Britney Spears while also exploring deep themes surrounding life as a female in the music industry. She definitely achieved her goal of releasing a “dance album” as almost all of the songs have catchy choruses and powerful backing tracks. So Close to What was a great addition to McRae’s discography, and I would be excited to see what a potential tour of this album would look like!
