Published by Mason Oldridge, 21 February 2025
Canadian pop superstar Tate McRae is back, leaning more into R&B and turning up the sexuality.
A bumper 15-track album, So Close to What is packed with high-energy pop songs set to drum beats and trap sounds and the revealing album cover can be seen as a tease of the explicit content to feature across the tracklist.
Latest single Sports Car is easily the standout. Opening to high-pitch trumpet sounds, with seductive whispering on the chorus, not-so-subtle sexually provocative lyrics, infectious cowbell and hauntingly sinister music throughout, this track makes for a seriously epic banger.
Unfortunately, there is less variation when compared to its predecessor, which offered more balanced instrumentation, including some more stripped back alternatives to highlight McRae’s vocal talent. That said, closing track Nostalgia tones it down to feature acoustic guitar, creating a more delicate and vulnerable offering.
Despite the lack of variation, Tate McRae further establishes her namesake as an artist with the look, the moves and the sound, cementing herself as one of the best in the 21st century female pop industry.
7/10