‘So Close To What’ is the third studio album created by a popular pop singer, songwriter, and dancer, Tate McRae. This album was released on February 21st, 2025 and explores the complexities of growing up, falling in love, and finding comfort in yourself. Metaphorically travelling outside of your comfort zone to find what suits you the best, whether that be in a relationship or self orientation. 

This album debuted as number one on the Billboard 200 chart, selling about 177,000 equivalent album units in its first week of release. With a total of about 137.30 million streams in its first week, it now adds up to over 1 billion streams. 

A total of 16 songs on the album, including the bonus release of “Siren sounds”, makes this album worth up to 42 minutes of bops. This hit album is a complete no-skip and gives a new meaning to pop music.

Miss possessive – 7/10

‘Miss possessive’ is the first track presented on the album which seems to set the tone for the remaining songs. This song inhabits a bold and fierce attitude towards the jealousy and controllingness within relationships. Tate McRae uses this song to basically warn girls who try to cross the line with her man. Hinting at the title ‘Miss possessive’, this song is about being very possessive over your partner in a relationship. Despite the seriousness of this song, the beats make this track enjoyable to listen to.

2 hands – 6/10

The song ‘2 hands’ was released on November 14th, 2024, before the complete album came out. As the track dives into topics of love and affection it focuses on the love language of physical touch. Tate Mcrae also acknowledges how important this kind of love is to her in the lyric “‘Cause they just words, they don’t mean much” meaning she believes actions display more than words in a relationship sometimes. This upbeat track is definitely a popular one amongst many Tate Mcrae fans, especially since it came out earlier than the others.

Revolving door – 8/10

‘Revolving door’ is about the idea of returning to a past lover even after trying to cut things off. Sometimes there is a way someone keeps coming back into your life and this song is about just that. Even if the relationship was unhealthy or healthy, you just keep going back, like a ‘Revolving door’. This song’s melodies are dance-worthy despite the lyrics being about a tough situation. 

bloodonmyhands (feat. Flo Milli) – 10/10

This song is the fourth track on this album and features Flo Milli, a pop and hip-hop/rap artist. This song is quite literally about catching someone “red-handed” in the act. In this instance the act is her boyfriend cheating on her. The lyrics “moved on and found another” refer to Tate Mcrae moving onto someone new and better which can be referenced to her current boyfriend The Kid LAROI. This song is not only hype but empowering and will leave you in a good mood just by its’ beats. 

Dear god – 8/10

This song is Tate Mcrae’s fifth song on the album and it dives into the topic of needing to get someone out of your head so bad that you turn to God for help. Hinting at a prayer-like response, she wants to be uplifted from this heavy weight on her shoulders. This heartbreaking idea is conveyed through a more upbeat melody within the music whilst portraying a certain visual for each listener. 

Purple lace bra – 9/10

‘Purple lace bra’ is Tate Mcrae’s way of expressing herself and making her voice be heard. This song is misconceptualized as another relationship song however it is about how the media perceives her. Essentially exploring the idea that the media focuses on her appearance and sexuality rather than her music and work. Highlighting the ways in which women are mostly judged based on looks instead of what is on the inside. This song is an artistic masterpiece and displays her talent for songwriting and singing flawlessly. 

Sports car – 7/10

‘Sports car’ was another song that was released earlier this year on January 24th, 2025. Debuting before the rest of the album, this song dives into the idea of not wanting to commit to a romantic relationship. Cars and racing are a huge element of the lyrics and music video to this song, which help convey an edge to the total idea of “love”. This is one of the more popular songs on the album and definitely has a more upbeat tone to it.

Signs – 9/10

‘Signs’ is set to discuss the complexities of communication and unexplained boundaries in a relationship. This song simply explores the frustration one feels when your partner doesn’t understand something until you have to explicitly say it, even though it is as clear as day as to what the issue is. This track takes on a more vulnerable side to Tate Mcrae as she tries to convey her emotions in a more emotional yet assertive way. Challenging the state of love and relationships to understand their partner for the “real” them. This song is one of the most underrated and overlooked on the album, but the lyrics hit on another level. 

I know love (feat. The Kid LAROI) – 9/10

‘I know love’ is the second track on the album with a feature, however this time it is Tate Mcrae’s boyfriend, The Kid LAROI. This song skyrocketed on the album as fans and listeners support the relationship and are invested in their love for each other. The lyrics explore the raw emotions that come from a relationship that started off casually then turned quickly into something much deeper. This collaboration resulted in producing a catchy song and positive energy overall.  

Like I do – 10/10

This track is the tenth on the album overall and can be interpreted in several different contexts. Some listeners refer to this song as a “friendship breakup” song and others refer to it as another relationship song. Luckily music is made to be interpreted to one’s own idea, however according to Tate Mcrae it is about someone copying your every move and being a different person than what they want people to perceive them as. This song is shady but enjoyable for many and is surely unskippable. 

It’s ok I’m ok – 6/10

‘It’s ok I’m ok’ was released on September 12th, 2024, before the remaining tracks came out. This was the first song that Tate Mcrae announced to be on the album before any other. This song is about Tate Mcrae messaging her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend telling her that she can have him especially after all the things he has done to Mcrae. This song is a fun pop hit and made the charts quickly. 

No I’m not in love – 7/10

This track gives insight to the complications and mixed signs that can be encountered in a relationship. It follows the narrator of the song trying to explain how they are not in love with someone even though their actions and emotions tell a different story. This song explores the confusion and denial within relationships while creating an upbeat energy and catchy tune.

Means I care – 9/10

‘Means I care’ is about the complicated ways in which Tate Mcrae can show affection at times. Meaning when she cuts someone off or distances herself, sometimes it is to protect them and care for their own being. The title ‘Means I care’ describes how individuals display love in complex ways that could be contradictory. This song is catchy and has the most relatable lyrics ever.

Greenlight – 9/10

‘Greenlight’ uses a metaphor method as a way to portray someone sitting at a greenlight but not being able to press down on the gas. Almost as if you have the pass to do something but you physically cannot bring yourself to go or do it. This song is a heartbreaking masterpiece and produces the most haunting melodies. This is a vulnerable song for those who have struggled to move on from unhealed situations.

Nostalgia – 10/10

‘Nostalgia’ is about the fear of the future and past. Sometimes you can miss out on certain events in life and look back on it and miss that opportunity, and that is exactly what this song is about. This song is angelic and dives into a deep topic while producing a pop hit.

Siren sounds (bonus) – 7/10

This bonus track was released a couple days after the album came out. On February 24th, 2025, the song came out and explores the addictive atmosphere of being in a toxic relationship. With the vivid imagery within the track it creates a dynamic between love and frustration. 

Let us know in the comments if you have listened to the ‘So Close To What’ album, and if so what was your favorite song from it?