Tate McRae So Close To What
Released Feb 21, 2025 RCA Records Label
Established consensus 11 professional reviews Updated Aug 27, 2026
Mostly positive consensus
Tate McRae's So Close To What sharpens her pop instincts into a glossy, 2000s diva-tinged set that courts both radio hooks and reflective moments.
How ChoruScore worksCritics' Top Tracks
The songs critics returned to most
Sports car
1 critic mention
“Sports Car” is the riskiest moment and greatest triumph” — PopMatters
Miss possessive
1 critic mention
“The opener “Miss Possessive” is a moody assertion of ownership” — PopMatters
Purple lace bra
1 critic mention
“In “Purple Lace Bra”, McRae channels palpable emotion through a club-ready sound” — PopMatters
Full critic consensus
Tate McRae's So Close To What sharpens her pop instincts into a glossy, 2000s diva-tinged set that courts both radio hooks and reflective moments. Across professional reviews the record earned a 69.36/100 consensus score from 11 reviews, and critics point repeatedly to a handful of songs as the project’s clearest achievements. “Sports car” is widely singled out as the riskiest and most triumphant sequence, while “Miss possessive” and “Purple lace bra” highlight McRae’s gift for seductive hooks and emotional directness.
Reviewers agree that pop craftsmanship anchors the collection: streamlined production and confident vocal delivery deliver immediate payoff even where the album opts for familiar territory. Themes of stardom and nostalgia thread through the lyrics, producing moments that trade raw introspection for entertainment value without entirely sacrificing personal insight. Critics note a deliberate 2000s influence in the arrangements, which situates the record as both a homage and a contemporary pop statement.
While some reviewers wanted more surprise or risk beyond the standout singles, the critical consensus frames So Close To What as a solid, if not universally bold, step in McRae’s catalog. For readers searching for a concise verdict or the best songs on So Close To What, the consensus points to “Sports car”, “Miss possessive”, and “Purple lace bra” as the tracks most likely to linger—making the record worth a listen for fans of sleek, hook-forward pop.
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
Miss possessive
Revolving door
bloodonmyhands (feat. Flo Milli)
Dear god
Purple lace bra
Sports car
Signs
I know love (feat. The Kid LAROI)
Like I do
It's ok I'm ok
No I'm not in love
Means I care
Greenlight
2 hands
Siren sounds (bonus)
Nostalgia
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What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 11 critics who reviewed this album
Critic's Take
Tate McRae leans into polished pop on So Close to What, and the best tracks crystallize that aim: “Sports Car” is framed as the riskiest moment and greatest triumph, while “Miss possessive” and “Purple lace bra” showcase her knack for seductive hooks and palpable emotion. McRae rarely surprises, yet those songs prove why listeners ask about the best tracks on So Close to What - they balance memorable choruses with a personable, diva-inflected delivery. The record’s strengths are its streamlined production and McRae’s confident intonations, which make these standout moments feel inevitable rather than accidental.
Key Points
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“Sports Car” is praised as the album’s boldest and most successful moment, showcasing McRae’s crafted persona.
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The album’s core strength is streamlined, 2000s-influenced pop songwriting and confident vocal intonation that favor entertainment over risk-taking.
Themes
