Tate McRae has never settled for ordinary. From ballet training for 11 hours a day to being a finalist on “So You Think You Can Dance” (2005-) at 13 years old, McRae was always destined for the spotlight. Now, eight years after posting her first song on YouTube, McRae is a superstar.
With the release of her third studio album, “So Close To What,” on Feb. 21, McRae abandoned the sorrowful sound that marked her earlier music for upbeat, sultry tracks. As McRae sings in her 2024 song “cut my hair,” the “sad girl bit got a little boring.” Despite its popularity, “So Close To What” overcorrected, leaning too far into the dance-pop genre and discarding McRae’s talent for introspection. The album lacked vulnerability, a sharp contrast from the rawness that made McRae so special initially.
Yet on Nov. 21, with the release of “SO CLOSE TO WHAT??? (deluxe),” McRae has finally found the correct balance. The deluxe edition does not provide a fresh soundscape, but McRae’s lyrics offer much more emotional complexity. Layered with references to McRae’s past work and personal life, “SO CLOSE TO WHAT??? (deluxe)” succeeds because of McRae’s willingness to open up to her fans.
On the first new track, “TRYING ON SHOES,” McRae sets the scene for a deluxe edition focused on coping with fame and heartbreak. On “ANYTHING BUT LOVE,” McRae embraces a rageful side of these themes by confidently dissing her ex. “My dad hates you, my dog hates you, my brother hates you, and I do too,” McRae sings, directing disdain toward her former lover. McRae showcases lyrical wit as she insults the man who tried to control her: “Tryna step on my neck, I’m tryna step in Jimmy Choo's / The sh*t your punk a** does for views.” The singer balances viciousness with comedy, providing hilarious examples of her exes’ embarrassing behavior while creating a diss track that listeners can relate to. By incorporating references for her fans, such as her alter ego, Tatiana, McRae brings “ANYTHING BUT LOVE” to life, crafting a memorable and accessible track.
With whispery and distorted vocals, “NOBODY’S GIRL” delves into McRae’s inner turmoil as she copes with fame while enduring a breakup. “And my heart was like an open sore / Saw, like, twenty healers when I was on tour,” McRae sings, using colloquial language to brush off the true pain of her heartbreak. Although she is hurting, McRae refuses to ruminate on her negative emotions: “Look in the mirror, and I’m like / ‘So hot, so smart, so witty’ / Mentally in a gun fight / Thank God I keep so busy,” she sings. In moments like these, she embraces the bittersweet nature of her fame, offering listeners a glimpse into the difficult side of her stardom. While McRae recognizes her sadness, she does not wallow in it — rather, she combines sultry production with emotional lines to balance the “sad girl bit” she aimed to abandon.
On “HORSESHOE,” a standout track, McRae embraces a somber, softer tone. “Just broke down on the plane (Ah) / I wrote down my feelings / But they won't go away / And I drank on Monday / Then straight through Saturday,” McRae sings, continuing to open up about the struggle of experiencing a breakup while on tour. Despite this welcome vulnerability, other introspective lyrics fall short, especially when McRae sings, “I’m not a pop star when I’m all alone,” a line with bland phrasing that limits its impact.
With “HORSESHOE,” McRae builds upon the “So Close To What” bonus track, “Siren sounds (bonus),” which describes McRae and her lover dancing inside a burning house, embracing the smoke filling their lungs. On “HORSESHOE,” McRae adds depth to previously dry lyrics by underscoring her healing process from her relationship: “I know the house burned down, but I finally saw the moon,” she sings, signifying how she found light amid a bad situation.
Starting with a chorus before landing with a powerful beat drop, “TIT FOR TAT,” another alleged diss track about McRae’s ex, The Kid LAROI, reclaims the balance McRae lost in her original record. While Laroi sings, “But it's my fault for thinking I could / Fix you, fix you, fix you, fix you” in his song “A COLD PLAY,” McRae strikes back in “TIT FOR TAT,” singing, “Fix your f*cking self, kiss my a** for that (A** for that).” McRae’s profanity adds a layer of absurdity to the track, which she builds upon with lyrical insults, such as when she makes fun of her ex’s height. Throughout the song, McRae defends herself while exposing her ex for being “messy,” and the bridge, while short, packs a punch: “That looks like it really hurts / That bruise on your ego,” she sings. The song is everything a diss track should be: explicit, witty and comical.
With “SO CLOSE TO WHAT??? (deluxe),” McRae reclaims the version of herself she lost on the original album: an artist who balances her sleek production with honest, vulnerable yet still enjoyable lyricism.
Amelia Bush (28C) is double-majoring in English and PPL (philosophy, politics and law). She is from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and enjoys walking around its many lakes. Outside of the Wheel, you can find her reading, scrapbooking, or attempting a New York Times crossword.
