Sarah Grace Meyn

The rising pop sensation, Tate McRae, has dropped her highly anticipated third album, So Close to What. This release follows the immense success of her sophomore album, Think Later, which produced massive pop hits that propelled her from viral TikTok fame into the mainstream music scene. With high-profile name-drops from artists like Drake and a now-sold-out arena tour announced even before the album’s release, McRae is finally stepping into her moment. So Close to What had some big shoes to fill, living up to the pressure of such high expectations.
The era kicked off with Tate McRae wrapping up one of her first headline shows at the iconic Madison Square Garden, debuting what would become the lead single, “It’s Ok I’m Ok.” The track marked a bold shift from the songs on her previous album, embracing a 2000s-inspired dance sound. What truly caught fans' attention, however, wasn’t just the song itself but the fact that McRae finally delivered on their long-awaited request: performing with a headset mic. This move allowed her to fully engage in her impressively trained choreography, drawing even more comparisons to pop icons like Britney Spears.
The era continued with a string of irresistibly catchy pop tracks, staying true to the signature Tate McRae formula: teasing the songs for weeks until they become unshakable earworms, making fans mark their calendars in anticipation. Even as she has moved beyond relying solely on social media for her marketing efforts, McRae continues to embrace the TikTok teaser method each album cycle, which has proven time and again to generate immense anticipation and excitement.
The album marks a more mature evolution for Tate McRae, as she confidently embraces a sound that feels distinctly her own. She’s stepped away from the heart-wrenching ballads that initially defined her, opting instead for sultry pop anthems. The Ying-Yang Twins-inspired “Sports Car” saw her alter ego, “Tatiana,” take center stage, delivering a track that had pop music fans—and anyone with a social media account—humming its infectious tune for weeks. The deeper themes and more personal subjects woven into the album’s lyrics add a layer of nuance that Tate’s previous records lacked, showing growth and vulnerability in her songwriting.
While it’s clear that Tate McRae is one of the hardest-working artists in the industry, and her drive to reach pop superstardom is undeniable, there are a few areas where she could have pushed even further. Some of the lyrics on the album feel overly repetitive and lack the depth that one might expect from a rising star with access to some of the industry's most talented songwriters. Lines like “change my mind so much I can’t find it” and “I keep coming back like a revolving door” may fit within the fun, catchy pop genre, but they can also leave listeners cringing, wondering why such simplistic lyrics made it onto the record when there’s so much potential for more meaningful content.
There were also some bumps in the album rollout that could have been smoother. For one, it’s clear that the album was originally meant to be titled Miss Possessive, a track from the album and the name of her tour. While that title definitely had more appeal and seemed to fit better, it's understandable if Tate wanted to avoid branding the album with such a strong narrative. That being said, So Close to What feels a bit lacking in comparison. The title doesn’t quite capture the essence of the album, and it feels somewhat disconnected from the overall vibe. On top of that, the album cover itself didn’t seem to make the strongest visual impact. There were several other stunning shots from the album shoot that would have made a better choice. It felt like Tate initially took fan feedback into account when she briefly changed the cover across streaming platforms, only to switch it back shortly after. The whole back-and-forth created a sense of uncertainty around the final aesthetic.
It’s details like this that makes you wonder what she’s missing. Is it someone lacking skill set on her team? Is it the label doing as labels do and making decisions for her? For someone who has more or less cracked the pop formula and got everybody watching, you would think this little details would have been cleaned up by someone on her team before happening in the large public eye Tate has amassed over the past year.
Regardless, this album is a fun listen and a joy to see Tate McRae continue to shine and put her best foot forward. It’s incredibly refreshing to watch someone who genuinely wants to be a pop star. She’s always on the move — constantly touring, delivering phenomenal shows with impressive dance numbers, and keeping a steady pace with releases and press. It’s evident she’s all in, and that determination is exactly why everyone’s watching.