by Yvonne Wang ’27
April 2025
The opinions expressed here are strictly those of the writer and do not reflect the views of University School of Nashville or the Peabody Press.
After breaking through with her 2020 hit “you broke me first”, Tate McRae, a Canadian singer-songwriter and dancer, has continued to rise with charting singles and a growing fanbase. Now, with the release of her latest album, So Close to What, McRae showcases a mix of early 2000s-inspired pop, dance beats, and emotionally charged lyrics that explore themes of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery.
Let’s dive into the song ranking list of her latest release, from best to worst!
Greenlight (9/10)
This track maintains an upbeat vibe throughout, incorporating airy synths that keep the energy high. McRae’s breathy vocals add a layer of emotion, reflecting the hesitation in her lyrics about moving forward in a relationship. This song stood out to me as a high-energy song that was attention-catching.
bloodonmyhands (feat. Flo Milli) (8.9/10)
“bloodonmyhands” leans into a similar vibe that includes a constant beat in the background of the entire song. Flo Milli’s verse was a great feature on this song that complimented the storybuilidng of the lyrics, contrasting Tate’s softer voice with her signature confidence, which focused on moving on after betrayal in relationship and embracing one’s self worth.
Siren sounds (bonus) (8.6/10)
“Siren sounds (bonus)” centers on a toxic push-pull relationship, as illustrated in the lines, “I wanna kiss you when I hate you and then leave instead.” The blend of vulnerability and strength through her vocal performance solidifies this song in the ranking.
Means I Care (8.5/10)
The production of “Means I Care” enhances the song’s exploration of her emotional repression. The clear-cut quality allows McRae’s voice to float effortlessly while keeping up with the background beat. The chorus has an excellent blend between vocals and beats that rounded the song out well.
Purple lace bra (8.3/10)
Often compared to the track “Diet Pepsi” by Addison Rae, this track’s bassy, electro-pop beat makes it stand out. Tate McRae’s ability to address the complicated themes of objectification and identity through lyrics such as “Would you hear me, hear me?” is a testament to her artistry.
Dear god (8.1/10)
This track is a message to a higher power for release from a past relationship, as seen in the title. Paired with Tate’s airy vocals throughout the lyrics, “Dear God, take his kiss right out of my brain”, the chorus is extremely catchy. This would be an amazing song on a workout playlist for a run because of the high-energy vibe.
I know love (feat. The Kid LAROI) (7.8/10)
“I know love,” featuring her boyfriend The Kid LAROI, delivers a catchy pop vibe that hints at the connection in their own relationship, “we started off friends, how we end up here? I don’t know, but I don’t see no problems.” The song is a window into their relationship and truly captures a dynamic of love.
Signs (7.7/10)
With its airy production and introspective lyrics, “Signs” captures the frustration of looking for answers that never seem to come. Tate McRae’s soft yet emotive vocals glide over dreamy instrumentals, making the track the kind of song that lingers in your head long after it ends.
2 hands (7.6/10)
The track emphasizes a desire for physical closeness, with McRae’s expressive vocals seamlessly transitioning between falsetto and chest voice, bringing the raw and real lyrics to life.
Revolving door (7.5/10)
“Revolving Door” delves into the complexity of revisiting a past relationship, “but I keep coming back like a revolving door” and includes a compelling mix of vulnerability and emotional intensity. However, it is more known for Tate McRae’s insane choreography for this track, which many people have recorded attempts of them trying these dance moves as well.
Like I Do (7.5/10)
McRae delivers sharp, cutting lyrics over an infectious beat, making “Like I Do” an instant highlight. The chorus “say you wanna know me, you don’t wanna know me, you just wanna do what I do” echoes a sentiment of betrayal and superficiality.
Miss possessive (7.4/10)
Starting off with an iconic voice memo from Sydney Sweeney saying, “get your hands off my man,” this iconic track includes a beat that is different from the rest of her discography. The assertive lyrics are centered around themes of jealousy and control and serve as a reminder of the complexities of boundaries in a relationship.
No I’m not in love (7.3/10)
Tate Mcrae’s lyrics and vocals display the tension between wanting to stay emotionally guarded and the reality of growing attachment, “If I slip and I somehow say it, you should know in advance, I’m wasted.” It’s a subtle but powerful moment on the album.
Nostalgia (7.2/10)
The production feels fresh and energetic, contrasting with the wistful lyrics in a way that makes the song both danceable and deeply relatable. I wish there was something added to make this track more memorable. It just doesn’t contrast as much in comparison with the rest of the album.
It’s ok I’m ok (6.9/10)
In “It’s ok I’m ok”, Tate McRae delivers a confident anthem, blending early 2000s pop-dance beats with her vocals. I wish the pre-chorus lyrics weren’t as repetitive as “It’s ok I’m ok” was repeated numerous times. It was something that definitely threw me off when I listened for the first time.
Sports car (6.8/10)
McRae’s vocals are effortlessly cool over an upbeat beat, highlighting its captivating energy. However, the other songs stood out to me more as I didn’t like the pre-chorus as much. It was slightly longer than it had to be, given the repetitive beats and lyrics.
Overall, this album has a wonderful blend of pop production and introspective lyrics into Tate McRae’s own life and allows for the opportunity for listeners to learn more about her as a person. However, I wish there was a more prominent theme connecting these tracks with an overarching message. Without a lot connecting the songs, they seem more like a collection of singles than songs in an album to me. It is still a great set of tracks showcasing Tate McRae’s artistry. It would be a great hit for high-energy activities and still stands as a great achievement in her career.
I rate So Close to What 7.8/10.
