On Nov. 21, a Canadian singer-songwriter and dancer, Tate McRae, released “SO CLOSE TO WHAT???” The album is deluxe edition of the original version “So Close To What” that was released earlier this year on Feb. 24.
The original album has 16 songs total with features from other artists like The Kid LAROI and Flo Milli. The deluxe edition has four newly added songs.
When McRae started releasing music, most of it had a more acoustic and emotional touch. As she continued to make music, she started to release most of her songs in the pop genre. Although now she tends to write more pop songs, she still finds a good way of incorporating sadder and more vulnerable songs into her albums.
The first new song on the deluxe, “TRYING ON SHOES,” is one of her tracks that carries a sadder vibe and has real emotional depth. I perceive this song as her perspective after a breakup. I really like the way she utilizes the metaphor of “trying on shoes” and “putting on glitter” as symbols of trying to rebuild and reinvent herself after a breakup. My favorite part of the song is definitely the bridge. I think it truly reflects the pure vulnerability that is experienced after a breakup, like the lyric “and maybe I’m not the girl that you thought, or maybe you loved me once, but forgot.” It clearly demonstrates the self-reflection that follows after heartbreak. I think it captures how uncertain someone can feel while trying to put themselves back together after a relationship ends.
Her second song she added onto the deluxe, “ANYTHING BUT LOVE,” is a much more upbeat breakup song that flips the narrative on typical breakup songs. McRae delivered nothing short of a sharp, unapologetic energy that made it clear she does not feel love for her ex-boyfriend, and instead feels anything but love. A lyric I found so smart and witty was “take a walk, baby, make it long.” I saw the repetition of this lyric throughout the song as her way of making sure it was not seen as a dismissal, but a declaration that she is completely done and moving on.
The third song, “NOBODY’S GIRL,” radiates a laid-back confidence compared to the other songs on the album. McRae describes the path she had to go on to reclaim her independence after a relationship. I think this song did such an amazing job at demonstrating that being alone and choosing yourself is sometimes the better and right thing to do. I felt a sense of comfort while listening to it and felt how much she was trying to emphasize that being “nobody’s girl” can be exactly where you’re meant to be.
“HORSESHOE,” the final song she added on the deluxe, is similar to “TRYING ON SHOES.” It has a softer, reflective mood. I think this song was the most introspective song on the deluxe. The track feels warm and nostalgic, even though she is singing about doubt and change. I think this song is emotionally open and captures two contradicting feelings of restlessness and hesitation. She illustrates how she has every reason to move on, but she feels like she is stuck in moving forward, caught between letting go and staying tied to what she knows.
I think I would rate this album 5/5 stars because I think all of the songs had brilliant lyrics, and balanced both upbeat and acoustic productions. All four songs allow for reflection on whatever mood you are feeling and provide clarity and understanding after a relationship ends.
