Coronation Of Our Newest Pop Princess

There hasn’t been a major purely pop performer since the evolution of our favorites like Ariana Grande and Doja Cat. Now, Tate McRae utilizing her time as a gorgeous, talented, very YOUNG woman has revived the culture. She came swinging for the Pop Girl title with her latest album, So Close To What.

Since her breakout hit, “You Broke Me First,” in 2021, the singer, songwriter, and dancer has dedicated herself to reaching the top. Her debut album, I Used To Think I Could Fly, featured tunes similar to the sad breakup song that thrust her into the spotlight and showcased her songwriting capabilities.

Tate McRae released Think Later, her second album, in 2023. Songs “Greedy” and “Exes” found immense global popularity as TikTok catapulted their catchy danceable qualities to the top of the charts. I wrote a review, claiming Think Later introduces a new layer of an artist who is - fully - capable of being a heavy hitter in the industry.

That album brought Tate McRae’s dancing to her artistry more than prior work, helping her stride further in her live performances. She was seen performing at the BRITs, iHeartRadio Music Awards, the NHL All-Star Game and sold out many shows in her Think Later tour, further establishing her progress as a major pop star.

McRae’s latest album, So Close To What, infuses characteristics of multiple genres with electronic dance beats and catchy lyrics that create a timeless pop album. Being hyper-pop - along the realms of Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Nelly Furtado, etc. - Tate McRae’s performance value is once again pushed through the demand of dance.

The three singles of this era are indicative of her improvement. The music videos for “It’s Ok I’m Ok,” “2 Hands,” and “Sports Car” provide a level of performance fit for only the best because of their intense, fast-paced dance numbers.

The album opens with a cameo from Sydney Sweeney, who says, " No, seriously, get your hands off my man." This sets the tone for the sass and confidence throughout “Miss Possessive” and the rest of the album.

“Signs,” “Purple Lace Bra,” “Like I Do,” and “No I’m Not In Love,” are just as powerful and I feel have the most potential for dance breaks. The lyrics “That one look means I wanna go / ‘I’m not mad’ means you’re in trouble / if you know me, boy, you should know” from “Signs,” are so iconic it’s impossible not to sing-along.

Despite the confidence of the album, there are also moments of insecurity - creating a truly well-rounded and relatable body of work. In “Dear God” Tate McRae addresses her abnormal behavior of being down bad for a man saying: “I never used to be this person, but here I am hands on my chest and my knees on the carpet hopin’ you’ll stop it.”

“Revolving Door” and “Siren Sounds” speak about the inability to leave a relationship. “I Know Love” featuring The Kid Laroi is a love song. “Greenlight” is a song about the pressure of not knowing whether you’re leaving or staying in a relationship and “Nostalgia” is a ballad surrounding the regrets, uncertainty, lack of direction, and mistakes of life.

McRae is clearly aware of the world, stories that resonate, and the eclectic styles from different cultures that form pop music. In “Means I Care” the rhythm and beat is built upon percussion techniques developed in Afro-Caribbean and Latin music. There are also many instances throughout the song when McRae sounds like fellow pop star Camilla Cabello, a Latin artist.

I think Tate McRae has discovered pop gold with the release of So Close To What. From the remarkable production that builds on genres/techniques from multiple cultures to the powerful - sometimes provocative - lyrics and potential for stunning dancebreaks, it is too iconic.

So Close To What pushes the boundaries of her craft, solidifying her name as - not only a star but - THE POP PRINCESS we’ve been awaiting. It will gain Tate McRae a well-deserved spot amongst the pop queens who came before her.