Is there a new top pop star on the rise? This is the question many listeners found themselves asking after the release of Tate McRae’s third studio album, “So Close to What.” The album hit streaming platforms Feb. 21 and sparked excitement from fans, old and new alike, even reaching number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
The album features both dance hits and introspective lyrics typical of previous Tate McRae albums, but also handles topics with newfound maturity. The album kicks off with “Miss possessive” a bold and attitude-filled track with a feature from the “Anyone but You” and “Euphoria” actress Sydeny Sweeney. The song tackles feelings of jealousy in a romantic relationship, especially one in the public eye. Sweeney’s opening line, “Keep your hands off my man” is the perfect summary of the sassy and fierce first track.
Other standout tracks include the viral, Tik Tok famous “Revolving Door.” Known for its tricky choreography and the line “It’s ok, I’m ok,” McRae uses this song on tour to showcase her triple threat status as a singer, songwriter, and talented dancer. The album isn’t all breakup songs about exes who she keeps “coming back to” though. It also flaunts range and versatility which fans haven’t previously seen from McRae.
Track five, “Purple lace bra,” features strings and quick, whispery vocals that differentiate it from other songs on the album. Its sultry lyrics hide deeper meaning about McRae’s feelings towards media perception and portrayal of her and other pop stars. She asks listeners to wonder if they “hear her more” when she leans into the sexuality expected from celebrities today.
“Tater Tots,” as fans of McRae call themselves, also went wild for the highly anticipated collaboration on “I know love.” The song was written by McRae along with her boyfriend and fellow singer The Kid Laroi. In an interview with Jimmy Fallon on “The Tonight Show”, she described the process of recording the song as “nerve-wracking,” although both artists were happy with the end result. The song hit number 34 on the global Spotify chart after its debut and as of Feb. 22 has been streamed 2.834 million times.
In true pop star fashion, drama was sparked just weeks before the release of the album. On Jan. 16, about a month before the album was set to release, the majority of the tracklist was leaked online. McRae was devastated with how her artistic vision and liberty had been taken from her, but was able to capitalize on the attention and turn it into an opportunity. She wrote three new tracks which hadn’t been leaked and rocked an iconic “LEAK THIS” shirt in her official announcement, regaining control over her work.
McRae’s growth as an artist and as a person shines through high energy pop beats like in “Sports car” and lower tempo ballads such as “Nostalgia.” With both relatable lyrics and lines that give listeners a window into who “Tatiana,” her stage alter ego is, “So Close to What” symbolizes a new era for the star. “It sticks to her roots while also venturing into new categories of music and does so flawlessly,” said freshman Tommy Hogan.
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