Tate McRae’s ‘So Close to What’ Comes so Close to Pop Perfection
Written by Audrey Marston on March 25, 2025
Singer, songwriter, and dancer Tate McRae released her highly anticipated third studio album So Close to What on February 21st, 2025. Getting her start on the reality TV show Dance Moms, this addition to her discography has shown that McRae has come a long way since, with So Close to What being her first album to debut at the top of the Billboard 200.
From her new release, it is clear McRae is inspired by the sultry dance pop greats of the early 2000’s, with her especially leaning into sounds and aesthetics first popularized by Britney Spears, The Pussycat Dolls, and Nelly Furtado. However, McRae has taken the best of their influences and modernized it, keeping the seductive lyrics, infectious hooks, and captivating choreography while adding her own flair through innovative production and vocals.
If my word is not convincing enough, let me show you a few songs off of So Close to What that encapsulate what the era is all about.
Revolving door
bloodonmyhands ft Flo Milli
Purple lace bra
Sports car
Means I care
Final Thoughts
‘So Close to What’ itself sends a clear message about what this era of Tate McRae is about. The syncopated beats, emotive vocals, and sleek production, coupled with cohesive visuals through several music videos, live performances, and photo shoots, make it clear that McRae is inviting us into her own separate universe with this album. The best way that I can find to describe the vibe of this album is “driving downtown with the windows down at 3 am”.
While promoting this album, McRae has had many viral moments, largely due to her choreography in live performances. Having gotten her start in dance, McRae’s performances are choreographed to a T and often include elaborate dance breaks mid-song. While this is a point of critique for some pop purists, who believe she dances more than she sings, I see it a bit differently. With her emphasis on dance, I believe that McRae is filling a niche and offering something to the pop community that we have not seen in quite some time: true pop star performance.
Good news for Houstonians! If you enjoy So Close to What, you can see Tate McRae live this fall! McRae’s Miss Possessive Tour will be stopping at the Toyota Center on November 1st, 2025, and is sure to be a great night!
