Popstar Tate McRae’s highly anticipated third album was just released to all streaming platforms, and here is what people think.

    A year after releasing her hit second album, Think Later, popstar Tate McRae just debuted her third album So Close To What. In this album, McRae dives deeper into her unique ‘messy cool-girl’ aesthetic. McRae’s aesthetic encapsulates a mix between 2000s Rhianna and Britney Spears, a combo that has become loved by many. At a private listening party hosted by Spotify, McRae declared that “Tatiana, my alter ego, wrote a lot of the songs on the album – including ‘Sports Car.’” Three songs debuted before the release of the album: “It’s Ok I’m Ok,” “2 Hands,” and “Sports Car,”. All three of these songs skyrocketed up the Hot 100, making the release of the whole 15-track album highly anticipated. 

    With features from two artists, Flo Milli and The Kid LAROI, the album piqued a variety of musical interests. The album was produced by Ryan Tedder and Kylie Minogue, among others, along with many collaborators, some of them being Amy Allen, Julia Michael and Blake Slatkin.

    Leading up to the release of her album, McRae announced her second world tour titled “Miss Possessive”, which starts in Mexico City and makes its way across part of Europe and North America. Until then, here is what people have to say about McRae’s newest album:

1. Miss possessive: As the opening track of the album, this song does not fail to show McRae’s confidence and power as a person. It also draws a parallel to a song on her debut album She’s All I Wanna Be, showing her personal growth since then.
2. 2 Hands: This song is one of McRae’s best debuts, reaching No. 41 on the Hot 100. It’s unlike most of McRae’s past music, having a more of an alternative vibe, but it can easily be seen becoming a genre she will continue to explore. 
3. Revolving door: The beat of this song is so unique that it immediately caught people’s attention. In addition to the beat, the lyrics resonated with many. With the theme of the song being going back to holding habits and not knowing what you really want, many listeners found that they could relate to this piece. 
4. bloodonmyhands (feat. Flo Milli): As one of the two collabs on this album, it is clear that both of these artists pushed each other to their best ability. Flo Milli brought out the unhinged parts of McRae that fans had yet to see, but are loving.
5. Dear god: This song, like many others of McRae’s, encompasses McRae’s classic background beat while adding new elements like sirens. In the lyrics, McRae pleads to forget the memories from a recent past relationship, while also convincing herself that she doesn’t want what is already gone. 
6. Purple lace bra: With the unique, classical intro this song has, it quickly caught attention due to its beat and lyrics. Although many people interpreted this song to be about a relationship, McRae shared in an interview that she wrote it about how she feels portrayed by the public. The song navigates her feelings about becoming a woman while constantly under the spotlight.
7. Sports car: This was the last single that McRae released prior to the album drop, and it can easily be considered a top song on the album. While the song gives you the feeling of an adrenaline rush, it also builds suspense with the hushed whispers used in the chorus. 
8. Signs: Listeners were quick to head to social media and rave about this song. With relatable lyrics and epic beat drops, Signs quickly became a fan favorite. Just when you think the song is winding down, McRae drops the beat to end the song with a dramatic mic drop. 
9. I know love (feat. The Kid LAROI): Being one of the album’s most anticipated songs, due to its feature of McRae’s current boyfriend, I know love feat. The Kid LAROI was quickly added to people’s queue after the album dropped. The song is in honor of their relationship, and, like said in the title, it talks about how it helped McRae to “know love”. 
10. Like I do: This is a more laid back song in comparison to the typical upbeat tracks  McRae tends to lean towards. McRae speaks about insecurities she may have after past relationships. She talks about denial and hesitation on getting into a new relationship because of these past scars. 
11. It’s ok I’m ok: This lead single, released in September 2024, encompasses McRae’s alter ego that she calls “Tatiana”. This song shows all of McRae’s sass while giving the vibe of “let’s just make something fun”, as McRae said when asked about the process for creating this song. After quickly blowing up on all social media, this song opened the door for the anticipation of So Close To What. 
12. No I’m not in love: In this song, McRae seems to be in denial of her feelings; her mind telling her something different than her heart. With relatable lyrics, a great beat (of course), and impressive vocals, No I’m not in love has become a fan favorite. 
13. Means I care: One of the more underrated songs on the album, this song speaks about shutting people out when things get too real – something we all have done. McRae sings about how her inability to express her feelings leads to her ghosting others. 
14. Greenlight: This song is definitely more laid back, but still encompasses the classic McRate beat. McRae sings about having anxiety about expectations and waiting – something we can all relate to. She also sings about the struggle of not being able to let go. 
15. Nostalgia: Nostalgia, the final track on So Close To What took a different direction than what McRae tends to gravitate towards. The song opens with acoustic guitar, rather than a unique beat like usual, which allows for McRae’s vocals to be on full display. In the song you hear McRae’s impressive range and all the emotion that comes with it.