First discovered on “So You Think You Can Dance?” Tate McRae has come a long way since her origin. Since the YouTube release of her song “One Day,” McRae has garnered a large and loyal following. “I Used To Think I Could Fly,” released in 2022, and “Think Later,” in 2023, have fueled her fans, priming them for the release of her third studio album, “So Close to What.” 

Released on Feb.21, her latest album was preceded by the singles “It’s ok, It’s ok” and “2 hands.” As I sat down to listen to the 42-minute-long album, the intro to “Miss Possessive” was what drew me in. A voice-over intro, asserting herself as possessive, accompanied by a strong bass and a fast pace, carried the song. The second song on the album, “2 Hands,” was one of the two singles. “2 Hands” continues the upbeat rhythm with the underlying messages about a very physical relationship. 

The first feature of the album goes to Flo Milli, best known for her song “Never Lose Me” on the song “Bloodonmyhands.” The pitched-up intro cues the listener in for another fast-paced song, and they will not be disappointed. Milli’s verse flows well with the song but doesn’t stand out.

 “Purple Lace Bra” starts with a dramatic intro and explores how the media treats female stars. The lyrics of “When Women Will Finally Be Taken Seriously” convey the frustration in an angelically sounding way. The song “Signs” begs a partner to get to know and understand her better. This desire to be understood without asking to be is conveyed as painfully relatable to the listener. 

The second feature on the album is “I Know Love,” featuring The Kid LAROI. A cheeky intro cues the listener into the flirtatious nature of the song as she weaves her vocals with LAROI’s verse about the origin of their relationship. Reportedly starting to date in the beginning of 2024, McRae addresses their relationship in an honest and open way. It doesn’t hurt that the song itself is catchy and upbeat. 

The first single, “I’m ok I’m ok,” starts with an electronic intro that draws the listener in. I’m sure by now you’ve heard the refrain of the song on TikTok, but the flippant lyrics with the intensity of the bass truly make for an interesting song. Yet again, this song reinforced the idea of holding the power in a relationship regardless of what stage it’s in. “No I’m not in love” contrasts nicely with the themes of “I know love,” with McRae denying the love she just confessed under the guise of not wanting to accept the truth of a relationship. McRae’s vocals shine as they finally seem to take center stage. Contrasting lines like “The sky has never been blue” confront the song’s hypocritical nature head-on. 

The transition to “Means I Care” from the previous song yet again leans into the theme of contrast, as the synthetic bass morphs into a childlike clap pattern. The messages themselves are similar, as McRae tries to explain deeply that she values a relationship. The last song on the album, “Nostalgia,” was by far my favorite. The guitar intro provided a refreshing break from the sometimes repetitive electronic synth rhythms. Exploring the ideas about our parents’ failed dreams and our own is not too far off and is done in an approachable way for the listener. The song itself details the feeling of losing a partner, but the underlying messages tie back to how generational trauma can affect a child’s entire life. 

Overall, I would say the album was solid. The songs were about more than their dance-pop beat would lead you to believe, and that play on the assumptions made about McRae made the themes even deeper. Although the songs got repetitive on occasion, features and more acoustic songs like “Nostalgia” made “So Close to What” a well-rounded and enjoyable listen.

4/5 paws