Tate McRae – So Close To What | Reviews | Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews
When you think of iconic pop stars, names like Britney Spears instantly come to mind. Her impact on the music industry is undeniable — no one was doing it
When you think of iconic pop stars, names like Britney Spears instantly come to mind. Her impact on the music industry is undeniable — no one was doing it like her. She defined a generation, blending infectious hooks, captivating visuals, and raw vulnerability that made her a household name. Now, as the torch passes to the new generation, Tate McRae appears to be taking inspiration from those who came before her. With her catchy pop sensibility and undeniable star power, McRae is carving out her own space in the pop world, and taking it by storm.
Described as an album that is “an introspective exploration of self-discovery, love, and nostalgia,” McRae’s latest record, ‘So Close To What’ marks a significant evolution in her musical journey. The songs are predominantly built on early aughts beats, including everything from electronic drums and synths to danceable baselines, layered vocals, and head voice harmonies, that give the record a distinctive feel of energy and innovation.
From the very first track, McRae establishes the tone of the album: introspective yet undeniably infectious. It’s here that she showcases her unwavering confidence, as ‘Miss possessive’ highlights that this star knows her worth, unapologetically embracing her thoughts while commanding attention with every lyric. This self-assuredness carries through to singles ‘2 hands’, ‘Sports car’, and ‘It’s ok I’m ok’, where McRae delves deeper into the complexities of relationships, shifting between the intimacy of physical touch, the vulnerability of giving too much, and the liberation of independence.
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Though McRae presents a fierce front overall, ‘Revolving door’ captures the feeling of being stuck in a toxic love cycle. The track’s melancholic melody contrasts its uptempo beat, capturing the emotional turbulence of a relationship that feels impossible to leave, as McRae’s vocals glide between frustration and longing as she details the push-and-pull dynamic. “I confess, I’m not that versatile / Say I’m good, but I might be in denial / Takes one call and that undoes the dial,” she confesses in the first verse. “Baby, I tried to call you / Off like a bad habit… But I keep coming back like a revolving door / Say I couldn’t want you less, but I just want you more.”
In trading her knack for cheesy ballads — as seen across 2022’s ‘i used to think i could fly’ and 2023’s ‘THINK LATER’ — for a remastered Y2K feel, some tracks across ‘So Close To What’ fail to maintain such impact. The middle section, in particular, tends to blend together, with beats that sound somewhat repetitive, losing the emotional spark and dynamic energy that make other tracks so compelling. However, that’s not to say the album doesn’t have its moments; when McRae hits her stride, she delivers tracks that are both memorable and emotionally resonant (‘Means I care’).
Offering an introspective and raw reflection on how love can be both comforting and complicated, ‘Means I care’ explores the delicate yet heartbreaking emotions of cutting someone off before they can hurt you, driven by the fear of getting too close, even when it’s the last thing you want to do. The slower pace of the production, one that replicates the sound of a beating heart, compliments McRae’s intimate vocals, creating a sense of closeness and vulnerability. Through the lyrics, McRae unpacks how actions, though sometimes misunderstood, can serve as a way of protecting oneself when words fall short, especially when the fear of getting too close threatens to bring emotional pain. “If I cut you off, it just means I care / Downright shut you out / Must mean that it’s going somewhere,” she croons in the chorus. “It’s not what I want, it’s just all I know.”
With its club-ready beats that draw listeners to the dance floor, ‘So Close To What’ is a compelling addition to Tate McRae’s discography. Not only does it showcase her ability to blend introspective vulnerability with infectious pop sensibilities, but it also finds McRae discovering the sound she’s most confident in, leaving everyone wondering where she will take it next.
8/10
Words: Shannon Garner
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