Tate McRae is known for her flirty lyrics and catchy pop tunes. At 21 years old, the Canadian singer released her third studio album, “So Close to What,” on Feb 21, 2025. The album includes songs like “2 hands” and “Sports car,” which follow the sexy pop trend. The captivating 15-track album includes collaborations with Flo Milli and The Kid LAROI, McRae’s rapper boyfriend.
McRae’s Musical Transformation
While “So Close to What” is a cheeky album, McRae’s music has not always been this way. The songwriter began uploading original songs to YouTube back in 2017 on her channel “Create with Tate.” The songs were more somber, discussing boy troubles and the struggles of being a young girl. Her song “i wrote a song … one day” turned into an online sensation, currently sitting at 41 million views.
In 2022, McRae released her debut album, “i used to think i could fly.” The album’s musical styles aligned with her YouTube origins. Shortly after that release, in 2023, she launched her sophomore album, “THINK LATER,” which shifted towards more alluring pop.
McRae’s popularity has risen since her shift to more upbeat, seductive pop songs. Her second top song on Spotify is “greedy,” with 1.7 billion streams. This track showcases the new route McRae is taking and her evolution as an artist.
The Perfect Combination
Not only can McRae sing, but she is also widely known for her dancing abilities. In fact, before reaching fame in the musical world, McRae was a star in the dance world. She began dancing at six years old and was a finalist on season 13 of “So You Think You Can Dance.” She finished in third place.
Since then, McRae has incorporated her dancing skills into her performances, entertaining various crowds with her songs and dance moves. Her dance moves are bold and often go viral, shared across the internet. Fans enjoy not only the music but a complete performance.
With musical and dancing similarities to the pop princess herself, Britney Spears, McRae is no stranger to online comparisons. Many compare her style to one of a young Britney because of her “dirty, breathy pop,” and infamous dance moves.
“It’s such a crazy statement because no one can compare to Britney Spears. It’s like comparing someone to Michael Jackson! That’s the blueprint,” McRae said to Billboard.
‘So Close to What’ Goes Worldwide
To celebrate the release of her album, the songwriter held a pop-up event at Complex LA from Feb. 21 to 23. The pop-up featured exclusive merchandise, photo opportunities and exciting contests for autographed items. Superfans had the chance to immerse themselves in McRae’s world and her new album, creating a connection between the artist and her fans.
Near the pop-up, Rhode Beauty by Hailey Bieber was hosting an event where fans of McRae could go to see the singer’s campaign for Rhode’s new lip liners.
To spread more love for “So Close to What,” McRae will be taking the stage for her “Miss Possessive Tour,” featuring both new songs and some old classics. The tour will include 80 stops worldwide. Artists such as Alessi Rose, Zara Larsson and BENEE will join McRae, promising 80 nights filled with exciting music and thrilling vibes.
“So Close to What” is an enthralling album that is sure to leave an impact on pop music history. McRae has made a name for herself in the music industry and is on a journey that shows no signs of slowing down.
