Tate McRae’s deluxe album is “so close” to perfection
Following the end of her Miss Possessive tour, Tate McRae released “SO CLOSE TO WHAT??? (deluxe)” on November 21. As my most listened to artist this year, I was ecstatic when I saw 4 new songs were included along with her latest single “TIT FOR TAT.”
With a fast beat and snappy lyrics, many of McRae’s songs are perfect for singing loudly in your car or for the background of a dance performance. Unlike other artists, she balances a flavorful combination of powerful lyrics yet poppy vocals, making for an original sound.
The cover of this album is blue and black which to me represents how her new songs have a darker, moodier feel. Her backing track for the four new releases follow a similar sound to “TIT FOR TAT,” but a different message. I found the new songs; “TRYING ON SHOES”, “ANYTHING BUT LOVE”, “NOBODY’S GIRL” and “HORSESHOE” carried more vulnerable lyrics compared to other fierce songs like “Miss possessive” and “No I’m not in love.”
Out of the newer tracks, my favorite is arguably “NOBODY’S GIRL”, where she shares the challenge of isolation along with the perks of being single after a toxic relationship. Not only was the chorus catchy, but the bridge shared that “real love doesn’t clip your wings” which could be an impactful message to listeners struggling with relationship boundaries.
My only hesitation with recommending this album is that she is a bit indecisive with what the main message is. As a listener, there is a lack of a connective storyline between different songs, making the theme of the album difficult to follow. At first release, listeners heard “I know love”, featuring The Kid LAROI which was recorded during their relationship. This idea of being in a relationship feels misleading when a more recent song, “TIT FOR TAT,” is supposedly about her breakup with The Kid LAROI.
With this said, each change of meaning makes each song pair with any situation. If you’re looking for a fresh sound to accompany your everyday delusions and rough patches, rely on “SO CLOSE TO WHAT??? (deluxe)” to give you the “Greenlight.”
