Canadian pop star, Tate McRae, made a sensational return with her latest record, So Close To What. Not even a month after its release, the album earned the singer her first No. 1 album on Billboard's 200 charts, and it is undoubtedly deserved. The record sees McRae delve further into her emotional side, along with the exploration of a fresh, seductive and alluring persona. So Close To What sees the artist at her most mature, diving into complex themes of relationships, living in the eyes of the public, and shining moments of both confidence and insecurity.

Tate McRae's third record is a stunning compilation of sixteen songs, heavily inspired by the sounds of 2000s pop icons such as Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears. In collaboration with legendary industry leaders such as Ryan Tedder and long-time producer, Grant Boutin, So Close To What has sparked a frenzy of conversation around the internet, and there's no question why. Of all the tracks on the record, it's difficult to choose favorites, but there is no doubt that the album delivers a variety of shining moments throughout.

16 Like I Do

A Mellow, Trap-Driven Track

“Like I do” explores themes of a false relationship, built on the other person’s desire to be just like you. Taking influence from modern R&B artists such as SZA, the singer approaches the track's delivery with a crystal clear tone. The result is a looping track that represents this eagerness to mirror everything that McRae is. The artist faces her copycat head on, delivering the song in a confident, unbothered manner. The message is undoubtedly Tate, but it’s the looping, unchanging beat that makes this song fall short of the rest.

15 Greenlight

An Emotionally-Charged Reflection

Three albums into her career, Tate McRae reflects on feelings of stagnation in “Greenlight.” In contrast to the song’s title, “Greenlight” lyrically explores the difficulties of navigating unresolved feelings and harsh criticism living in the eyes of the public.

The song is simplistic instrumentally, built off of one piano chord, slowly building in tempo over the course of three minutes.

It’s full of visual metaphors, from the representation of sitting at a green light to the opening lines: “two chains hangin’ off your chest when you kiss me.” Though a strong song emotionally, the track falls short instrumentally and lacks the complexity others on the record possess.

14 Means I Care

A Self-Aware Confession

In "Means I care," McRae explores the complicated nature in which she finds herself expressing love. Opening up on her avoidance tendencies, the song sees her confess to pushing people away, often out of fear. The track is unique for the singer as it dives much deeper into her own self-awareness, exploring more personal habits in her connections and intimate relationships.

"Means I care" has a confessional nature, yet it is a therapeutic way of facing her troubling habits of showing she cares. While the meaning behind the track proves deep in thought, it lacks strength on the instrumental side.

13 No I'm Not In Love

A Song Navigating Denial And Mixed Signals

"No I'm not in love" is full of contradictions, creating a relatable track for anyone who has struggled to own up to their feelings in a relationship. The song perfectly encapsulates McRae's denial of her feelings towards the person she sings about. Along with the song's relatability, it has an irresistible, dance-worthy quality. Backed by a hyper-upbeat track, "No I'm not in love" contains everything that makes for a strong pop anthem, though it does not have the same wow-factor as other tracks on the record.

12 Signs

An Amusing Anthem On Unrealistic Expectations

Relationships are a complicated subject, even more so when expecting your partner to read your mind. "Signs" explores the ideas of faltered communication in a relationship, especially when a lack thereof creates unrealistic expectations from the opposing party. The track is a fun and unique twist to McRae's typical works, and the not-so-serious nature shines through the track in the best light. Reflecting on the writing process in an interview with Jake Shane, she its: "That one is fun, I think it's just so funny being like, 'Can't you just read my mind?'"

11 Nostalgia

An Acoustic Love Letter

Closing the album on a light note, "Nostalgia" is a beautiful, reflective track on the importance of living in the moment. Inspired by a conversation with her dad while out on the Think Later World Tour, McRae began contemplating her tendency to focus on the past and fearing what is to come in the future. Channeling this energy into her music, she wrote what would come to be "Nostalgia," a graceful and sincere love letter to experiencing life as it happens. With its empathetic message, it is the perfect ending to So Close To What.

10 I Know Love (feat. The Kid LAROI)

A Spontaneous, Romantic Collaboration

Partnering with her boyfriend, The Kid LAROI, McRae shares a sweet, heartfelt message on "I know love." The spontaneous collaboration between the two lovers sees them in their most vulnerable state, expressing the difficulties that come with relationships.

During an exclusive listening party hosted by Spotify, the artist shared some insight on what it was like working with her boyfriend in the studio: “It was a really funny process, because me and Laroi have never really, like, taken each other seriously” (via Billboard.)

9 Bloodonmyhands (feat. Flo Milli)

The Party Track Of The Record

"bloodonmyhands" was a late addition to So Close To What, but it does not fall short, earning its place as one of the most dance-worthy songs on the record. The singer leans into hip-hop influences on the fast-paced track with help from one of the many featured artists on the record, Flo Milli. In an exclusive interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music, McRae shared:

"I honestly just wanted to do a Miami bass record so bad."

As the album's third song, the track came as one of the late, final additions to the record. After an unfortunate leak of the record, the artist itted to feeling defeated and unsure how to cope with the scenario. She turned to what she knew best to deal with the situation: writing music. Spending time in the studio for the final few sessions, McRae wrote "bloodonmyhands" along with some other last additions to the album. The result is an absolute blast of a track, and the urge to dance after hearing this song is irresistible.

8 2 Hands

A Flirty And Fun Love Song

As one of the first true love songs the artist has ever written, "2 hands" comes out on the high end of highlights from So Close To What. McRae its her full infatuation with her partner in this song, exploring the blissful mindset that being in love will bring to a person. The confession comes backed by an irresistible, dance-worthy beat while she sings about the things she truly needs from her lover. "2 hands" explores the idea that actions speak louder than words, and the result is a flirty yet addicting love song that has become a long-awaited favorite of fans.

7 Siren Sounds (Bonus Track)

A Struggle To Hold On In A Relationship's Destruction

A long time in the making, "Siren sounds" is a track the star has kept under her belt for quite a while. Originally meant for her second record, Think Later, McRae had cut the song from the final track list, but felt too ionate to leave it out of her discography forever. The song explores the push and pull of a toxic relationship, using vivid imagery to represent the tumultuous nature of their intense connection. Immediately sparking the attention of fans upon the album's release, "Siren sounds" was quick to make an appearance on the setlist for McRae's Miss Possessive World Tour, and stands as a stirring highlight of both the album and the show.