Atwood Magazine’s writers discuss the confident and complex emotions on Tate McRae’s third studio album ‘So Close to What’ – from her sultry dance synths to her gut-wrenchingly clever lyrics and beyond.
Featured here are Atwood writers Annaliese Baker, Bárbara Martínez, Emma Rayder, Josh Weiner, and Sam Franzini!
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To start, what is your relationship with Tate McRae’s music?
Bárbara: My relationship with Tate McRae’s music is kind of new. I’d hear “Greedy” everywhere, and then “2 hands” came out last year and I liked the beat as well as her voice. I looked further and not only are her beats captivating to young listeners, but she brings even more vitality to the rhythms as a great dancer. When I discovered “you broke me first,” I noticed that she wasn’t only an emerging pop artist, but she also had a deepness that some pop artists sometimes leave aside.
Annaliese: I’ve been a fan of Tate McRae for the better half of a decade; both of us were competitive dancers, so she was this “gold standard” for me. “She’s All I Wanna Be” came out after my first college heartbreak, and it seemed to be a theme for McRae’s releases throughout my early adulthood. Her music is both relatable and fun, with heartbreaking lyrics and a dance-club beat. I loved ‘think later,’ but I wanted to hear a full dance album from her because her stage presence is so electric, from Sean Bankhead’s choreography to Ryan Tedder’s producing – I think we got that with So Close to What.
Sam: I really only started paying attention after “greedy” started getting traction on Twitter. It was clear from the song’s energy that she was a student of the talented dance-pop and R&B titans Britney Spears and Janet Jackson, so I was hooked. I reviewed the album “greedy” was on, THINK LATER, which was mostly middling, but I kept my eye on her and was locked in after “It’s ok I’m ok.”
Josh: My “How I got to know about Tate McRae” story isn’t especially innovative, but (like Barbara and Sam, but unlike Annaliese, it seems), I first discovered her when the song “Greedy” became a hit over the past year or so. It’s been nice to see her follow up on “Greedy” with another string of hits in recent months, especially “It’s OK I’m OK” and “Sports Car.”
Emma: I thought I was new to Tate McRae, until I realized that she owns the breathy vocals on one of my favorite college-era tracks, “you broke me first.” Fast forward five years, and I started to see her name everywhere. Many people seem to have a strong opinion about her (unsurprising, given her age, gender, and looks), but mine is fairly uncomplicated – I think she makes fun, catchy music.
What are your initial impressions and reactions to So Close to What?
Sam: Fun fun fun. Sometimes it’s tough to get bogged down with records that are intellectually dense and complicated, but I like that Tate is here to have a good time. It’s catchy, danceable, and doesn’t take itself too seriously while being uncompromising on the tunes. And she’s becoming a better songwriter too!
Bárbara: It’s good. People can dance to it, listen to it, have a good time with it, and we know as well that Tate enjoys it, too. It is a dance-pop and sometimes hip-hop album that shows talent, both in singing and songwriting.
Josh: “Fun fun fun” and “[easy to] have a good time with it” are two excellent descriptions for this album– thanks for providing them, Sam and Barbara! When So Close To What came out last Friday, I was in the final third of my nine-day road trip across Quebec (I made it way to Mt. Tremblant for some skiing on that day), and I was making an effort to listen to a variety of Canadian singers in the car as I made my way across their native land – Celine Dion, Shania Twain, Alanis Morissette and Avril Lavigne all made the cut. It’s great that I was seamlessly able to add Tate McRae to that list, and indeed, such a fun and poppin’ record as So Close To What provided me with some much-needed energy as I completed the final leg of my journey by driving all the way from Montreal to Boston on Sunday night!
Annaliese: It’s the first dance album Tate McRae has made all the way through. I completely agree with Josh’s point about other female singers from Canada that have given us some of the best breakup/revenge hits from the last decades; it’s safe to say McRae is on that list. So Close To What is an album I knew I’d want to hear on a night out with friends and dance to – it’s where her vocals, stage presence, and persona shine, enhancing the listening experience. People have begged for a fun pop music to make a comeback. They have that with So Close To What.
Emma: As my fellow Atwood writers wrote, this album is a good time. It’s the kind of music you blast while getting ready for a night out with old friends. I forced my boyfriend to listen to the full album with me, and by the time the closing notes of “Revolving door” hit, I caught him nodding along.
How does this album compare to Tate’s past records THINK LATER and i used to think i could fly – what are the most striking similarities or differences?
Sam: I thought THINK LATER was bolstered by its singles, but So Close To What holds its weight throughout. Every song feels essential and not scrapped together or derivatives of other songs. It’s a little repetitive, but each are fleshed out and fully-formed.
Bárbara: Perhaps this album sets the style that Tate McRae has demonstrated in her past albums: danceable, the popstar taste, a teenage feeling, and something that can also be accompanied by dance moves. In this album, we can also confirm she’s grown, as a person and as an artist. I used to think i could fly sounds young, capricious; THINK LATER follows the good but bland pop rubric; for So Close to What, it manages to not be monotonous and it does have several catchy tracks.
Josh: Still gotta listen to those other records, tbh! But given that I enjoyed the song “Greedy,” I’m optimistic that I’ll enjoy the rest of its parent album as well.
Annaliese: I’ve mentioned this a bit, but the most striking change is that So Close To What is more focused on upbeat dance music than the melancholic sound McRae became known for with her earlier albums. Bárbara makes a great point about how the albums represent McRae growing professionally and personally – her newer music has direct mentions of attraction, attention, and affection, while her older works subtly point it out. THINK LATER paved a clear path and positive springboard for the release of this album, in my opinion.
Emma: As Annaliese mentions, So Close To What is far less sad than McRae’s previous albums. It’s also more confident. You can see her coming into her own throughout the album, from the BLANK beats of “Miss possessive” to the BLANK of “Nostalgia.”
Tate teased So Close to What with a slew of singles – “It’s ok I’m ok,” “2 hands,” “Sports car,” and “bloodonmyhands.” Are these singles faithful representations of the album?
Bárbara: These songs are a good first taste to the pop album. “2 hands” and “Sports car” might be two of my favorites on it, and they encompass the album’s personality: appealing, rhythmic, even a little risqué. All the songs have a special touch and they’re well-produced, which is the impression given by these four singles.
Josh: I’d say so, just because, fundamentally, the singles are upbeat and fun to listen to, and much of the rest of the album follows suit in those critical regards.
Annaliese: I say yes! Not to parrot what’s already been said, but all of these tracks present different facets of McRae’s artistry without being pigeonholed into one genre, sound, or lyric. While they all feature a dance beat, the lyrics tell different stories of maturity discussed throughout the project.
Emma: Yes. Each single paints a full picture of the album’s upbeat, self-assured, and (as Bárbara mentioned) slightly spicy aura.
So Close to What has been billed as an album navigating the raw emotions of healing an old heart and the hesitations that come with falling in love again, – “the beautiful and sometimes harsh realities of what it means to be a woman and embracing a newfound confidence.” Does this capture the spirit of these songs, and where do you hear or feel it most?
Sam: For sure — I think the confidence is found more in the energy through the album rather than any particular moment. But songs like “2 hands” and “Sports car” certainly feel like she’s in total control. And I think she’s growing as a woman as well — “Purple lace bra” is really striking in its dissection of her own body/sexuality, and you have other cuts about relationships that offer more depth like “Signs” or “Greenlight.”
Bárbara: So Close to What navigates this post break-up confidence and newly-found love vibe at the same time, in my opinion, such as in the song “bloodonmyhands.” There are songs that talk about past relationships or mistakes, but most of the album does show confidence, perhaps not directly through lyrics, but the melodies and McRae’s voice display that.
Josh: I actually feel like that theme might be staring at us right in the face within the central lyric of the lead single: “It’s OK, I’m OK, had him in the first place, It’s OK, I’m OK, I don’t really gotta say.” The woman singing these lyrics seems to be oozing with confidence and is making it plain that she’s doing just fine and ready to move on from whatever hardships she might have recently encountered. That sort of spirit is then put on proud display throughout much of the rest of the record, including the instances which Sam and Barbara have noted.
Annaliese: Absolutely. The singles on So Close To What demonstrate this, to back to the last question a bit. With “It’s ok I’m ok,” McRae is moving on in a confident manner whereas “Purple lace bra,” like Sam mentioned, presents McRae as more concerned with her appearance. The song that truly captures it for me is “Revolving door.” While many believe it’s about a toxic relationship she continues to go back to – which I do agree with – I also think it’s about her relationship with the media and performing. McRae is known for her sultry, effortless dance moves and beauty; she inquires whether or not her sexual appearance is her confidence or the identity the media created for her.
Emma: So Close to What really does capture that mix of raw emotion and newfound confidence. There’s a clear shift from McRae’s past heartbreak-heavy music to something that feels more self-assured, even when she’s singing about messy relationships.
You can hear it in how the production leans into bold, energetic beats, giving even the more introspective moments a sense of movement. There’s no wallowing here – just someone figuring things out in real-time, sometimes with frustration, sometimes with excitement, but always with a little attitude. It’s that mix of emotional honesty and unshakable coolness that makes the album so compelling.
Which song(s) stand out for you on the album, and why?
Annaliese: “Miss possessive” and “Purple lace bra” stood out. “Miss possessive” is such a strong album opener – it easily could’ve been a single. The track has the club beats McRae is known for, and the Sydney Sweeney adlib amplifies the confident, sultry emotion. The song pushes you to listen to the rest of the album like any good Track 1. “Purple lace bra,” on the other hand, is very mature but resonates with so many women in their twenties like McRae. The track has sparked insightful conversations about the double-edged sword of sexualizing yourself, which elevates the listening experience.
Bárbara: The songs that stand out for me in this album are “2 hands” and “Revolving door.” “2 hands” stands out for its beat, and even its incredible, trendy choreography that I see on social media. “Revolving door” is also a catchy song, and I found the term from its title an interesting choice to talk about love, confusion, and being stuck in a loop. “bloodonmyhands” has McRae’s whispery vocals that get keep the chorus replaying in someone’s mind, as well as the choice to incorporate R&B, where artist Flo Milli also comes in.
Josh: I like them all! So, it’s hard to say. “It’s OK I’m OK” was definitely a smart choice for a lead single, though, so I’ll tip my cap to it for that much. Also, the collaboration with her new beau, the Kid Laroi, stands out thematically in an album with plenty of breakup anthems– by contrast, this one offers a glimpse of what the future may have in store for her romantically.
Emma: “Revolving door” is definitely my favorite track. There’s something about the subtle wordplay and hypnotic, pulsing rhythm that keep me coming back for more…and more…and more.
Do you have any favorite lyrics so far? Which lines stand out?
Sam: “I’m losing my mind ‘cause giving you head’s the only time you think I got depth” — pretty perfect.
Bárbara: My favorite lyrics are part of my favorite song on the album: “Revolving door.” There are several lyrics such as “My cold heart is finally melting” and “say I couldn’t want you less, but I just want you more” are some of the lines that are figurative and that convey a message on the phase that Tate’s head and heart is in. “I’m losing my mind ‘cause giving you heads/The only time you think I got depth/Hear what you like and none of the rest” from “Purple lace bra” are crushing, and finally express what Tate feels about the media’s perception of her.
Josh: Sam beat me to it. That line is pretty darn eye-opening. Plus, the chorus to “It’s OK I’m OK” has been largely unavoidable on the radio lately, so that alone makes it worth a shout-out.
Annaliese: Yeah, Sam’s got a good one. Also: “I still think about that night out in Boston” from “Revolving door” – as a former Bostonian. That song has a lot of other good ones like: “I’m supposed to be an adult/ But f* it/ I need a minute.”
Emma: From “Dear God:” “Lay there / Back of my mind, he stay there / Pops up time to time like, ‘Hey there’ / Haven’t seen you in two years, but, baby, we still breathe the same air.” It’s simple, but I think McRae really nails the emotions that go into trying to forget somebody.
As far as pop stars are concerned, Tate has been hanging around the fringes for quite some time. Do you see this as her potential ‘mainstream breakout’?
Sam: I think so — she has all the ingredients. This new framing of her as a throwback Y2K star is really working to help pull people in. I think her earlier projects struggled into defining who Tate McRae is, but So Close To What is the clearest offering so far.
Bárbara: I believe that Tate McRae entered a territory of popularity and acclaim with “You Broke Me First” and “greedy,” although this album sets the tone for her work. More listeners will know her, stick to her beats, and even understand how she’s been compared to other artists like Britney Spears and Nelly Furtado.
Josh: Oh man, the competition for Top Female Pop Star of the Moment is pretty darn stiff these days. But So Close To What has already been well-received and given Tate McRae two additional Top 20 hits, and that additional exposure can only take her up, rather than down, right?
Annaliese: I hope so! She took over the global Spotify charts last week. She’s been working so hard, from her days as a dancer to her “Create with Tate” videos to now. I think this album has given her a platform, but we might not see her fully explode until the tour, following the pattern of her rise to fame after THINK LATER.
Emma: I think so! I’ve seen a lot of chatter online—in various corners of the internet—about the album. This past year has been huge for women in pop as well, so the odds are in her favor. Whether or not she becomes the next Sabrina Carpenter or Chappell Roan is essentially up to chance.
Where do you feel So Close to What sits in the pantheon of Tate McRae’s discography?
Sam: Her best album (though, unfortunately, it wasn’t a hard thing to achieve). But it’s great to be on an upswing, and as she continues to grow I think she’ll get better and better.
Bárbara: It may be her best album so far. More mature, more herself, more assorted, more rhythms… I think I’ve mentioned it before, but it does show that she’s only growing personally and as an artist, and she’s sharing it with her fans and in her music.
Josh: As I mentioned, I still need to catch up on her back catalogue somewhat. Looking at Metacritic, though, all three albums have scores between 70-80%, with So Close To What coming in at a solid 74%, I guess Sam is right in saying that Tate McRae is on something of an an upswing right now.
Annaliese: I agree with what Sam and Bárbara have said: So Close To What is Tate McRae’s best album. While her older works are great, they’re melancholic. Although she talks about the same topics on newer projects, the dance/pop rhythms elevate her in a way no other pop star is doing right now.
Emma: So Close To What is definitely McRae’s best album thus far. She has so much potential at such a young age. I’m excited to see where it takes her!
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“I know love” – Tate McRae ft. The Kid LAROI
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© Charlie Denis
© Charlie Denis
So Close to What
an album by Tate McRae
