Tate Mcrae’s main pop girl status is still pending, but she’s got some things in her favor: she has an alter ego dubbed “Tatiana,” got name-dropped by Drake, and lovingly labelled her fan base “Tater Tots.”
Despite her success, she hasn’t fully broken into–or left her mark on–the ever-evolving world of pop music spearheaded by the likes of Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, and Chappell Roan, to name a few. The Canadian performer’s stage presence and charm does not seem to align with her take on pop. However, I think that her newest album, So Close To What, is marking the start of Mcrae’s journey into ultimate pop stardom.
So Close To What stands strong at sixteen tracks in 45 minutes. It is decidedly more mature than its predecessors–lyrically, sonically, and artistically. Mcrae’s vision for the album can be summed up in a few words: club rat, sweat, revenge fantasy, and vulnerability. She is able to encapsulate the fluctuating emotions of love, regret, and nostalgia throughout this project in a way she never has.
The lead singles, “Revolving door,” “Sports car,” and “It’s ok I’m ok,” are amazing pop songs that are perfect for getting ready or hyped before a game. Sadly, the excitement and talent exhibited in these three songs seems to be lost in the rest of the album.
Mcrae relies heavily on the use of a generic pop beat and a breathy falsetto during the chorus. It is very clear just by listening to her music that she is a dancer. These songs were not made for the music to stand by itself, but for it to be playing in the background while she dances to them.
When played alone, each song is good. As a project, the songs blend together and sound repetitive, made for dance breaks and not to break records.
The two features on this album are the saving graces, which is very rare. “I know love (feat. The Kid LAROI)” is an upbeat track highlighting Mcrae and LAROI’s relationship in a bouncy and fun way. The catchy rhyme scheme and glitzy beat give this track a summery feel.
Meanwhile, “bloodonmyhands (ft. Flo Milli)” is a song about getting revenge on an ex. Though it is undoubtedly a standout on the project, Flo Milli definitely did outshine Mcrae. Flo Milli’s verse was the one to make the song go viral, despite Mcrae’s clever use of metaphors and captivating chorus.
Overall, Mcrae’s album is a solid 6/10. She is capable of making great pop songs, but as a project, it becomes repetitive.
