Graduating past the national and achieving worldwide pop star status after the release of “Greedy,” if it seems like Tate McRae is always releasing music, it’s because she is. Still only 21, she’s dropped five notable projects since 2020 as her star continues to rise. Seemingly latching onto the lessons learned from the popularity of that aforementioned single, though, So Close To What is the first time McRae has ditched her slower, more vulnerable tunes and released a full album of high-tempo tracks reminiscent of mid-2000s pop. They’re the kind of instrumentals, finally, that suit the So You Think You Can Dance alum’s incredible moves on stage, and she sells them by tapping into an untouchable cool-girl persona. Even if you don’t love McRae’s vocal style or her hyper-processed, mega-polished pop, she’ll win you over with live performances of this set.

When she’s not giving us the kind of double entendres you’re not sure how someone hadn’t thought of already (there’s one on “I know love,” featuring her famous beau The Kid LAROI, where she talks about being “in the covers” – that’s both on the magazines and in the sheets), McRae still breaks through the pop formulae to offer up a couple of the more contemplative concepts she’s become known for.

The track “Purple lace bra” contains what might be her most compelling message yet: an internal struggle with her own understanding that she’s the most successful when she’s the most sexualized. Not only that, it’s the album’s best homage to the soulful and smooth pop sound that the 2000s divas had a chokehold on. If nothing else, this album proves Tate McRae knows how to play the game – and is here to stay.