Tate McRae has officially cemented her status as one of pop’s most electrifying voices with the release of her third studio album, So Close to What, on February 21, 2025. The album arrives as a tidal wave of anticipation crashes over her ever-growing fanbase. At just 21, the Canadian singer-songwriter-dancer has already conquered charts and stages worldwide, and this latest project promises to be her most introspective and dynamic yet. With So Close to What, McRae invites us into her world—a place where youthful exuberance collides with the raw realities of growing up in the spotlight.
The album’s rollout has been nothing short of a masterclass in building hype. Following the success of her 2023 sophomore effort Think Later, which spawned megahits like “Greedy” and “Exes,” McRae wasted no time diving back into the studio. By early 2024, whispers of new music began swirling, and she confirmed her return with the September release of “It’s OK I’m OK,” a dance-pop anthem that soared to number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. Subsequent singles “2 Hands” and “Sports Car” kept the momentum alive, each showcasing a bolder, more confident McRae. But it’s her latest single, “Revolving Door,” that’s stealing the spotlight as the album lands in our hands.
Unveiled alongside So Close to What on February 20, 2025, Revolving Door is a pulsating, high-energy track that feels tailor-made for late-night drives and packed dance floors. Clocking in at three minutes flat, it’s a sonic whirlwind of pounding beats and McRae’s signature breathy-yet-assertive vocals. Paired with a music video that premiered today, directed with a sleek, cinematic edge, Revolving Door is an instant standout, already sparking chatter about its remix potential.
So Close to What itself is a 15-track odyssey spanning 39 minutes and 55 seconds, making it McRae’s longest album to date. The tracklist, revealed on February 12 via a Hollywood-star-themed Instagram post, reads like a diary of self-discovery. From the opener “Miss Possessive” to the closer “Nostalgia,” the album weaves through themes of love, identity, and the relentless passage of time. Collaborations with Flo Milli on “bloodonmyhands” and The Kid LAROI on “I Know Love” add extra layers of intrigue, the latter offering a rare glimpse into McRae’s rumored romance with the Australian rapper. It’s a cohesive yet varied collection, blending dance-pop bangers with introspective ballads.
McRae has described So Close to What as a reflection of turning 21—an age where the world expects you to have it all figured out, yet the road ahead feels endless. At a Spotify listening party in Los Angeles on February 18, she told fans, “The title encapsulates how I felt… finally a woman, but still wrestling with how I’m seen.” This duality shines through in tracks like “Purple Lace Bra,” a slow-burn response to media scrutiny, and “Greenlight,” a love-soaked dance cut teased during her Sydney pop-up event last year. It’s clear she’s not just chasing trends—she’s carving her own lane.
The release of “Revolving Door” feels particularly significant in this context. Where Think Later was about living in the moment, this single—and the album it heralds—suggests a shift toward grappling with consequences. There’s a clever callback to her previous work in its lyrics, with a subtle nod to “think later” woven into the chorus, tying her discography together. Fans at the listening party lost it when the track kicked in, jumping and swaying as if it were already a staple in their playlists. It’s the kind of song that demands movement, a testament to McRae’s roots as a dancer who knows how to make a beat hit harder.
Behind the scenes, So Close to What boasts a powerhouse team. Producers like Ryan Tedder, Ilya, and Lostboy join forces with songwriters Julia Michaels and Amy Allen, ensuring a polished yet authentic sound. McRae’s creative process wasn’t without hurdles, though—an early leak of the album in January forced her to rethink the tracklist, adding last-minute gems like “Like I Do” and the Flo Milli collab. “I was devastated,” she admitted at the listening party, but the setback only fueled her fire. The result is a project that feels both urgent and deliberate, a snapshot of an artist in flux.
The timing of So Close to What couldn’t be more perfect. Fresh off her Think Later World Tour, which wrapped in November 2024, McRae is riding a wave of momentum that’s about to crash into her next venture: the Miss Possessive Tour. Kicking off March 18 in Mexico City, the 50-date trek will span North America, South America, and Europe, with support from Benee and Zara Larsson. “Revolving Door” is poised to be a live-show highlight, its infectious energy practically begging for arena-sized singalongs. If the tour’s presale buzz is any indication, McRae’s fanbase is ready to follow her anywhere.
As So Close to What begins its journey into the world, McRae stands at a crossroads. She’s no longer the wide-eyed teen of “You Broke Me First” or the defiant starlet of “Greedy”—she’s an artist stepping into her power, flaws and all. The album’s title feels prophetic: so close to defining herself, yet still reaching for what’s next. With “Revolving Door” spinning on repeat and a tour on the horizon, 2025 is shaping up to be her biggest year yet. For fans, it’s a thrill to witness this ascent in real time. As the pop landscape shifts, McRae isn’t just keeping up—she’s leading the charge, one fearless beat at a time…this is only the beginning.
Email:neill@outloudculture.com
Socials: @neill_frazer
