by Matilda Hawkins ‘27

Canadian pop singer Tate McRae released her third studio album So Close To What on February 21. The highly anticipated dance-pop album is filled to the brim with emotion about letting yourself fall for someone while your guard is down. McRae supported the album with three singles: “2 hands,” “Sports car,” and “It’s ok I’m ok,” which peaked at No. 20 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and No. 14 on the UK singles chart. This album marks McRae’s first number one album on the U.S. Billboard 200, and allows for her to continue to grow as a singer. Even though the singer has had less experience than her fellow pop stars because she is at foremost a dancer, she is considerably climbing the ranks. McRae stated that the inspiration behind the album title was feeling like she needed “some sort of reason for why [she’s] doing anything or else [she] [feels] like [she’s] driving towards nothing.”

McRae uses relatable lyrics to connect with her audience and inspire many young girls. McRae’s recent music unfairly is often compared to 2000s pop singer Britney Spears, and many question her originality. Although some may deem her sexualizing herself and unoriginal because of the comparison to Spears, she is genuinely empowering women. Her confidence serves as an inspiration for young women, and she shows a maturity level that pop singers often do not reach these days. She may seem “provocative,” but the majority of it is simply the confidence she radiates that people are not used to.

Her tone and lyrics capture the feelings and situations many young females often face. The upbeat rhythm allows for a carefree and happy feel to the album while also making the audience feel heard. The sadder songs, such as “Nostalgia” and “Greenlight,” emphasize relatable feelings that seem so big to any person experiencing them. “Nostalgia” is about missing someone, while “Greenlight” is about not wanting to let go, two real situations many people experience. Before McRae was catapulted into pop stardom, she would write original songs and post videos of her singing them on YouTube in a series she called “Create With Tate.. Many of these songs resonated with tweens and young teenage girls.

McRae continues to reach deep down into how a girl can feel and shows emotions that younger individuals might not be able to express even in her newer music. So Close To What is full of standout tracks that will get stuck in your heads for days.McRae’s songwriting is incredibly personal yet universally relatable, exploring the themes of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. The new album really captures raw emotions and connects with listeners on a deeper level while also providing upbeat rhythms to engage the audience continually.

Grade: A-