After two years of anticipation, Tate McRae announced her third studio album on Nov. 14, 2024, following the release of the album’s two lead singles: “2 Hands” and “Its ok I’m ok.” Her album “So Close To What” was released on Feb. 21 at midnight.

“So Close To What” is a 16-track album that has already topped the Billboard 200 chart. McRae’s album is filled with pop and emotional hits that have captivated fans.

The album’s two singles, “2 Hands” and “Its ok I’m ok,” were released on Nov. 14, 2024, and Sep. 12, 2024, respectively. This was months before the release of “So Close To What.” “It’s ok I’m ok” is a sassy, feel-good, dance song that became an instant hit, setting the tone for the rest of the album. “So Close To What” is very theatrical and dramatic, which was also true for “It’s ok I’m ok.”

Highlighting McRae’s years of technical dance training, the album incorporates many songs like “Miss possessive” and “Sports car” that allow McRae to put on a show-stopping performance both vocally and physically.

“So Close To What” is significantly more elevated than McRae’s past albums “Think Later” and “i used to think i could fly.” While she is only 21, her album musically and aesthetically feels very mature compared to her past work. This album, unlike the others, is polished and comes off less youthful.

In “So Close To What” McRae dives into many relatable topics for her fan base, which is primarily Generation Z. Many of the tracks are focused on the good and the bad of relationships, and every situation in between. McRae is a great songwriter and performer. She is flawlessly able to connect her emotions to the lyrics, so listeners can clearly feel what she intends to convey.

McRae is known for creating upbeat dance hits. The song “Revolving Door” is one such hit; it has an infectious beat and was an opportunity for McRae to showcase her vocals. The song is about being stuck in a relationship that keeps someone in an endless loop, or revolving door. This is expressed in the lyrics, “But I keep coming back like a revolving door/Say I couldn’t want you less but I just want you more.”

In the concluding emotional track, “Nostalgia,” listeners get to experience a song that contrasts the upbeat tone of the rest of the album. The song is a lot slower, allowing listeners to really savor the lyrics. In it, McRae sings, “Funny thing about nostalgia,/Didn’t show up till I lost you.” “Nostalgia” is about the realities of nostalgia and how quickly everything can just slip away.

“So Close To What” has forever changed McRae’s career. She went from being a well-known singer-songwriter, to a major artist in the pop industry. With her newfound global fame, McRae’s story is just getting started.