Tate McRae stuns with her third studio album, “So Close To What,” offering sexy, vivacious tracks in addition to raw, vulnerable content, showing a new side to the pop princess. The 21-year-old Canadian star sets her eyes on new sights with her third record, allowing her sound to transform in edge and maturity. Blending her wide-ranged dance ability with both truthful and electrifying lyrics, she has been compared to stars like Britney Spears while contributing content and a personality that stays entirely true to what she wants to create. McRae holds nothing back in her third album, utilizing reflections of early 2000’s dance pop material in her music while making personal, bold statements showing mastery of the pop genre and grasping the ears of listeners.
TRACK LIST
Miss possessive
2 hands
Revolving door
bloodonmyhands (feat. Flo Milli)
Dear god
Purple lace bra
Sports car
Signs
I know love (feat. The Kid LAROI)
Like I do
It's ok I'm ok
No I'm not in love
Means I care
Greenlight
Nostalgia
Miss possessive
The title track, “Miss Possessive,” also the name of McRae’s upcoming tour, kicks off the album with a bang. The first line, “No, seriously, get your hands off my man,” a sound bite precisely placed to introduce the album, perfectly details what fans are in store for. McRae has been known for her sexy, danceable tracks but “Miss Possessive” displays a different side of her through its declarative nature. This track shows a mature, confident side of Tate that additionally draws listeners into the album. While that phrase is, in itself, a bold statement to make, McRae follows through with the sound of “Miss Possessive”. Similar to her attitude, the song’s beat is hard-hitting and filled with passion, showing why the track was picked to additionally be the name of her tour.
2 hands
“2 Hands”, the second track on “So Close To What” and second single to be released before the album’s drop, makes the transition from track 1 to track 2 smooth and subtle. While incredibly different songs in sound, “2 Hands” continues on a similar attitude from the first track. Again, the need for physical touch is emphasized by McRae to her partner as it was in “Miss Possessive”. Lyrics such as, “Just your two hands on me, like my life needs savin’”, not only shows the level of desire McRae feels toward this other person but additionally details that this connection goes beyond simply wanting something. “2 Hands”, while delving into the more sexual side of this connection, ultimately keeps listeners having fun while letting on the extent of this relationship.
Revolving door
Exchanging a sexy, danceable vibe to lean into raw emotion, McRae brings in “Revolving door” for the third track off “So Close To What”. “Revolving door” entails a relationship that McRae is trying to let go of while navigating the highs & lows of entering adulthood. Lines such as, “I work so much, can’t be reminded,” and, “I need a minute”, show both a vulnerable side of McRae and wonderfully represents how difficult it can be to make things work, like relationships, while figuring yourself out at a young age. The visual representation of the name itself, a revolving door, brings layers to how difficult it’s been for her to let go of this relationship and, additionally, is telling of how much time she’s lost to this person in place of taking care of herself.
bloodonmyhands (feat. Flo Milli)
Shifting to a different, cunning mindset - track four, titled “bloodonmyhands” featuring rapper Flo Milli, strays far from the nature of the first three tracks. Much similar to where the relationship between McRae and this other person leaves off, “bloodonmyhands” details McRae’s time after making the decision to leave her former partner. McRae references her intense pride and ability to leave, a detail that feels like a direct reference to “Revolving door”. Both in McRae and Milli’s verses throughout the track, it’s incredibly apparent that the decision to leave this person was for the best. To dance “like she can’t be bothered” and move on to a new partner, McRae states a shift both in the album and herself. She is commanding the situation, knows what she deserves, and won’t settle for less.
Dear god
From the initial beat, the fifth track off “So Close To What” grabs your attention by the throat. “Dear god”, the bass-heavy, sex-laced track serves as the catalyst for the remainder of the album. Transferring from a period of hurt & reflection to healing, McRae details the grit behind the process of moving on from a partner. Piecing lines together like, “All the memories, babe, I play ‘em all back,” and, “Never used to be this person, but here I am,” in connection to the new person introduced in the song, McRae doesn’t shy away from the harshness of this situation. Attempting to move on and heal from a broken heart, “Dear god”, lays out a connection between McRae and a new partner that is strained, on McRae’s side, by reminders of the past. While McRae is struggling to move on from her former partner, her ultimate wish is for this new partner to please her to the point where she no longer has to think of her past relationship.
Purple lace bra
Seemingly sexy in its title, the sixth song off McRae’s third record - “Purple lace bra” - displays vulnerability and an unfortunately common perspective. The story in “Purple lace bra” follows McRae struggling to communicate with her partner. The other person does not seem to be present with McRae, only paying attention to her and the relationship when it sexually benefits them. McRae explains in several lines that she has done things physically to try to pique her partner’s interest - dancing on their lap, whispering in their ear, taking clothes off for them, and finally - wearing a purple lace bra - physical representation of the sexual side she has to lean into for her partner to listen to her. While McRae’s music does not shy away from emotion and vulnerability, “Purple lace bra” is a unique and different song for the pop star. Mainly focusing on dance-producing material, the platform embedded into this song for resonation and difference shows just how much McRae has matured as an artist and allowed herself to explore new heights.
Sports car
“Sports Car”, the third single and seventh track off “So Close To What”, spices the album up, allowing Tate to show off her pop chops. From top to bottom, “Sports Car” embodies the energy of McRae’s overall music. At the release of this track, fans of McRae quickly realized that this is not the Tate McRae they’ve become comfortable with. With a seductive, teasing start, you’re left wanting more from start to finish. Alongside deep bass and confident, cool vocals, McRae pulls you into the thrill of the romance she’s seeking. Through the song’s production and lyrics, it’s apparent that, much like a sports car, McRae is looking for a fast-paced and thrilling connection.
Signs
“Signs”, the eighth song off “So Close To What”, keeps McRae rooted in her confidence and heading toward something bigger & better for her. “Signs” is a reminder from McRae to her current partner that she knows what she wants and does not want to backtrack in progress. “If you love me, you should know me better, see the signs,” a lyric repeated in “Signs”, wonderfully summarizes the song for listeners by being clear and concise. While McRae does not want to experience treatment similar to what she’s been given before, she additionally feels as though she should not have to voice her wishes. Moving forward, she does not buckle down and settle for her partner, staying true to herself and allowing her to move on from a relationship that isn’t working for her.
I know love (feat. The Kid LAROI)
The second feature on the album, The Kid LAROI sparks new meaning to “So Close To What” in the ninth track - “I know love”. Extremely different in sound from the eight tracks listed above, “I know love” is fun, pure, and embraces the unpredictability of love. The track explores the complexities of being in love and the complications it brings, all while staying positive. With The Kid LAROI being McRae’s boyfriend, the opening exchange in track clues listeners in on their playful but deep connection. While the chorus, and song overall, continue on to open up about how love can be consuming and confusing, LAROI and McRae switch carefully between keeping up that playful, flirty connection and being open with their emotions.
Like I do
Switching the frame of reference, track ten - “Like I do”, changes the overall tone as McRae shifts the song’s subject. With lyrics such as, “Got your own, but you started eyein’ down my man,” McRae not only references back to the first track - “Miss Possessive” - but also shows a difference in who she’s speaking to. Similar to “Miss Possessive”, track ten emphasizes the perspective shared in track 1 with more detail. The line, “and sometimes I’m flattered”, coming before, “But also, fuck you,” shows the confusion McRae feels toward this other girl, darting back & forth between seeing the other girl’s perspective and sticking to her guns. This inability to decide how she truly, overall feels about this girl and her actions stems mainly from her trust being broken - similar to the stories shared of her romantic relationships in the album’s earlier songs. Much like how she’s been treated by romantic partners, the situation in “Like I do” is tiring for McRae and only emphasizes her current state - hurting and looking to heal.
It's ok I'm ok
“It’s ok I’m ok,” the eleventh track and first single off “So Close To What”, showcases a changed attitude in McRae and a smooth transition from track ten. In the previous track, “Like I do”, McRae was forced by the actions of others to switch between building a defense and letting her guard down. In “It’s ok I’m ok”, McRae has seemingly moved on from the predicament in “Like I do”. The line, “Take him, he’s yours,” indicates a transitional period for McRae, showing her growth from the previous track. “It’s ok I’m ok” is a step away from McRae’s past, aimed toward a period where she can enjoy her life without being tied down by someone who could potentially, again, cause her pain. Out of the fifteen tracks on “So Close To What”, this read as the most confident to me. While I’m unaware of if “It’s ok I’m ok” is meant to be symbolic with its release order, it being the first single off the album to be released, it entirely feels as though it was intentional. “It’s ok I’m ok” is not only a pure piece of above-and-beyond pop music, but additionally a statement piece. This song shows a shift in McRae’s perspective within the album’s story and in her career, communicating to listeners that she has entered a new phase of life.
No I'm not in love
“No I’m not in love”, the twelfth song off “So Close To What”, follows a new horizon for McRae. From the song’s introduction, listeners are let in on a world that McRae wants to keep secret and closed off - at least for now. The title of the song itself, “No I’m not in love”, is reflective and symbolic of McRae being in opposition of herself. Throughout the track she debates with herself, pushing against the realization that she consistently stays over at this person’s place, wears their clothes, etc. This hesitation to dive into a real, romantic connection with this person is shown throughout several of the songs off “So Close To What”, but “No I’m not in love” differs from them in its level of impact. “No I’m not in love” is the biggest stance McRae has taken against her past, indicating even through the title that she is fearful of and resistant to the past repeating itself.
Means I care
Track thirteen off “So Close To What”, better known as “Means I care,” comes in direct response to “No I’m not in love”. “Means I care” is more upbeat in nature than the previous track, leaning into McRae’s affection for this other person. Rather than deny her feelings, as shown in “No I’m not in love”, McRae pleads with this person to look past her actions and recognize her feelings for him - ultimately asking him to take her signs of rejection with a grain of salt. The lyrics in “Means I care” entail how McRae doesn’t view herself as successful in self-expression when it comes to relationships, highlighting a detail that ties back into former heartbreak.
Greenlight
The final two songs of “So Close To What”, titled “Greenlight” and “Nostalgia”, tie in together to beautifully bring the album to a close. Both of these songs are incredibly emotional and personal. McRae lays out dark thoughts on the table and talks about them point-blank through “Greenlight”, once again displaying the maturity she’s shown throughout this album but in a more vulnerable way. While McRae finds herself truly falling for someone and on the path to healing, “Greenlight” details how that healing is not linear. Although the sound of “Greenlight” may be more upbeat than the lyrics let on, it’s truly about McRae’s raw & pained emotional state.
Nostalgia
Following “Greenlight”, the final song of “So Close To What” - “Nostalgia” - is McRae’s most reflective song of the album. “Nostalgia” opens with information on McRae’s personal life, detailing the lives of her family and how pain has carried on from person-to-person within the family. This period of reflection is significant for McRae, as she did not reflect on her past in this way before losing her former partner. By placing this song at the bottom of the track list, I feel as though it was done purposely by McRae to show how she came to terms with this heartbreak. Not only does “Nostalgia” let listeners in on a very personal, more private side of McRae, but it additionally brings the album full-circle and ends “So Close To What” on a sweet, purely human note.
Written By Madison Spies
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