March 3, 2025 by Alex Wersten (‘25)
She did it again. “Miss possessive,” a.k.a. Tate McRae, released her highly anticipated, brand-new studio album So Close To What on February 21st, 2025, filled to the brim with new pop hits including “Sports car,” “It’s okay I’m ok,” and “2 hands,” alongside twelve other tracks. With collaborations from Flo Milli and her very own boyfriend The Kid LAROI, Tate (and Tatiana) absolutely delivered on the album, extracting themes and motifs from her previous sophomore album THINK LATER, Taylor Swift’s reputation album, and her own emotions in periods of revolving relationships.
Upon my initial listen (I stayed up until midnight to hear the release immediately), I fell in love with this album. See, my favorite album of all time is Taylor Swift’s reputation, an emotional dive into the complex narrative of navigating your relationship through outside forces, as it incorporates super synthesized and heavy bass sounds into its tracks, and So Close To What is a mere reflection of these tones and sounds. Therefore, I immediately began writing my reactions to every song as I was hearing it for the first time. Oh, and by the way, I’m seeing Tate’s “Miss Possessive Tour” in September at Kia Center. I’m way too excited. Therefore, here are my top five songs and my reasoning.
1. “Miss possessive” – The opening track “Miss possessive” is a fiery, confident anthem that showcases her signature blend of emotional intensity, jealousy, and infectious pop production. With sultry vocals, a pulsating beat reminiscent of the 2000s, and Britney Spears-inspired bops, the track dives into the complexities of jealousy and control in a relationship, making it both relatable and irresistibly catchy. The lyrics are sharp and unapologetic, capturing McRae’s evolving artistry and edge. “Miss possessive” proves once again that she’s a force to be reckoned with in the pop scene, delivering a song that’s equal parts attitude and vulnerability. (8/10)
2. “Sports car” is a sleek track that captures the feeling of adrenaline, love and lust. With dreamy and whispered vocals with a smoothly flirtatious atmospheric production, McRae paints a picture of her lover and what she desires. If this isn’t obvious, I don’t know what is. The lyrics are both reflecting and cinematic, making listeners’ jaws drop to the floor and feel her emotions in such a real way. “Sports car” is a beautifully crafted song that showcases McRae’s ability to blend the purpose of her lyrics with a stray, effortless sound, leaving a lasting impression on all listeners. (8/10)
3. MY FAVORITE SONG. 100/10. Tate McRae and her boyfriend, The Kid LAROI’s collaboration on “I know love (feat. The Kid LAROI)” is incredible. It’s a heartfelt, emotionally-charged track that blends their styles seamlessly. Tate’s pop sound with LAROI’s hip-hop style is absolutely breathtaking. With their vocals and raw delivery, the song explores the feeling of “knowing” love immediately and “when it hits.” The production is so melodic and so upbeat, and it genuinely just makes every listener so joyous, allowing their voices to take center stage as they reflect on their relationship and solidifying their place as a 2025 power couple. This song is a powerful duet that highlights their incredible yet cute chemistry, giving a deeply relatable and beautifully-made song about finding love. (10/10)
4. “Means I care,” is a captivating view on emotional detachment and vulnerability hidden by nonchalance. The song moves into the complexities of love, where Tate finds herself cutting someone off as a misguided attempt to show that she cares for them. The contrast between her usual dismissal and deep emotional undercurrents is clearly visible in the lyrics, creating a poignant portrayal of several struggles found in modern relationships. With its atmospheric synths, clapping, and McRae’s sustained vocal delivery, “Means I care” paints a vivid picture of internal conflict, making it a standout on the album. (9/10)
5. Finally, my second favorite song from the album, “2 hands” is full of great energy. The song is about the desire for close proximity, without all the unnecessary drama of publicity and the media. The song is contagiously catchy and it has such a sassy energy in front of a beautiful background sound. McRae’s voice pulls you in, and the lyrics are raw and real, talking about how words and material things don’t matter as much as actual connection. Many lines in this song make it clear of her yearning and emotional needs. The production and structure of this song is greatly done, as some of the vocal effects and beats sound like a sound upgrade compared to THINK LATER. (9.5/10)
So Close To What is a masterful evolution of Tate McRae’s artistry, blending emotional depth with infectious pop production. With themes of love, desire, and self-reflection, the album takes listeners on a journey through the highs and lows of relationships, all while delivering some of her most confident and dynamic work yet. From the fiery energy of “Miss possessive” to the dreamy allure of “Sports car” and the heartfelt intensity of “2 hands,” McRae showcases her versatility and growth as an artist. Each track adds a new layer to her storytelling, making So Close To What a standout album that cements her place as one of pop’s rising powerhouses.
Overall, I love the album and am in awe of how far Tate McRae has come in her music production, especially in the way she defines her own music career. Therefore, I give So Close To What a 9/10, not only because of its theme and production, but also because of how much it represents McRae’s growth as an artist and a creator.
photo source: target.com