Tate McRae is a Canadian singer-songwriter and dancer, known for her pop-centric hooks and choreography. She first began her dance career at age six, when she competed on the series So You Think You Can Dance, where she placed third overall. 

In 2018, McRae began her music career uploading original songs onto YouTube which soon garnered her more attention. She is currently signed to RCA Records, and she first came out with hits like “you broke me first”, “greedy” and “exes”. McRae released the album So Close To What on February 24, 2025, with sixteen songs that further solidified her career in the music industry. 

McRae’s discography is a mix of ballads, pop, contemporary R&B and dance-pop. So Close To What showcases her versatility, as each and every song is unique.

McRae’s song “It’s ok I’m ok” gained immense popularity after she posted a TikTok video with a sped-up version of the track in September of 2024, and it peaked at Number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. This song is about her ex-boyfriend, who was not as perfect as he had portrayed himself to be, and she is trying to warn his new girlfriend of making the same mistakes she did. 

When she sings, “I don’t want him anyway, girl, take him,” McRae reveals her relief over never having to deal with her ex again. But if his new girlfriend wishes to believe in him, then she can gladly have him. The song’s title emphasizes that some men are worth nothing and women should get over them. 

On “It’s ok I’m ok”, McRae has created an electronic pop song with R&B elements and an infectious chorus. The song has a nostalgic, early-2000s feel, similar to Britney Spears, making it an easy listen. The video for this track was groundbreaking because of McRae’s striking choreography, shooing away the mere thought of her ex, with iconic outfits and soft vocal tones. 

On “Revolving Door”, McRae shows a deeper message of feeling stuck in an endless cycle, with no change or stability. She uses heavy repetition to highlight the feeling of being stuck in a loop, as she keeps making the same poor decisions over and over again. She can’t stop going back to old friends, relationships and situations for “more, and more, and more.” These toxic situations have become a habit that she can’t escape. 

McRae refers to this feeling as a “revolving door”, because she feels as though she can “never see a finish line,” yet she can’t let go of her mistakes. Of course, in the music video, she compliments the heartbeat-like rhythm, and the Jersey Club-influenced mood, with incredible moves. Due to her long dancing history, McRae is incredibly flexible. “Revolving Door” showcases her intricate and clean lines, with fast-paced, spunky choreography, which has caught the attention of many fans.

The song “bloodonmyhands feat. Flo Milli” talks about how foolish McRae’s ex was for cheating on and losing her, because now he has to watch her doing bigger and better things from a distance. She stays unbothered, knowing that he’s “seein’ stars” as both she and her new boyfriend, The Kid LAROI, are both well-known singers. The lyrics on this track also explore the feeling of being knocked out, as McRae knows how badly her success and happiness has messed with his head. 

It’s called “bloodonmyhands” because it’s as though McRae is metaphorically guilty of killing her ex. Flo Milli brings a more R&B style to this electronic pop inspired track. The song is a unique blend of vocal tones and sounds, making it a standout track on the album. 

The song “I know love feat. The Kid LAROI” expresses how love can be addicting like a drug, and how quickly it can sweep you off your feet and overwhelm you. Love is unpredictable, as a relationship can deepen and it becomes irresistible. 

McRae and The Kid LAROI started off as friends and later became inseparably in love. “I know love” is a duet where the two sing about their feelings for one another. They define “love” as the feeling of longing they have when they are apart. The sweetness and authenticity of their words is something that many people can relate to. The slow tempo, yet upbeat and bubbly feel, is addicting. 

 Ultimately, McRae’s aura, energy and stage presence all exude from the screen and the speakers, and her dance skills and stable vocals are so unique in the music industry. So Close To What is an album that gives you a little bit of everything. Each song has been delicately and intentionally crafted to showcase her talent, and every song is worth a listen because Tate McRae did not come to play.