So Close To What Tate Mcrae Vinyl

Okay, confession time. I have a tiny, possibly unpopular opinion about Tate McRae. And it’s all about her record, So Close To What. Now, before you come for me with your pitchforks and your perfectly curated TikToks, hear me out.

I love Tate McRae. I really do. Her songs are catchy, her dancing is incredible, and she’s got that whole pop star sparkle. She’s the kind of artist you can blast in your car with the windows down. But So Close To What? It’s like… so close, yet so… not quite there for me. And I think that’s okay!

It’s like when you’re at a buffet, and you load up your plate. You’ve got all the delicious things. You’re ready for that first bite. And then… it’s just a little bit off. Maybe the mac and cheese is a little too watery, or the chicken is a tad dry. It’s still good, don’t get me wrong. You’ll still eat it. But it’s not the chef’s kiss you were hoping for. That’s my vibe with this album.

I listen to it, and I’m nodding along. I’m humming the tunes. I’m thinking, “Yep, this is a Tate McRae song.” And then… nothing really sticks. It’s like trying to grab smoke. The melodies are there, the production is slick, but the emotional punch? The one that makes you rewind a track three times just to feel it again? It’s just… hovering. So close, you see?

I keep waiting for that moment. That song that burrows into your brain and refuses to leave. That one that makes you text your best friend at 2 AM, “OMG, have you heard this song?!” But with So Close To What, I’m still waiting. It’s a whole album of “almosts.” It’s the musical equivalent of a really good first date that ends with a polite handshake instead of a kiss.

And honestly, maybe that’s where the magic should be for some people. Maybe I’m just a bit of a musical snob. Or maybe I’m just incredibly picky. My friends rave about it. They’ll be like, “Did you hear that part on track five?” And I’m like, “Uh, yeah! That part was… there!” It’s hard to explain without sounding like a total hater.

It’s like seeing a really beautiful sunset. It’s gorgeous, the colors are stunning, but then you see another sunset the next day that just blows it out of the water. This album feels like that first, really nice sunset. Pretty, but not earth-shatteringly amazing.

I’ve tried. I’ve listened on repeat. I’ve blasted it in my car. I’ve even attempted to learn some of the choreography (emphasis on attempted, because let’s be real, Tate McRae makes it look way easier than it is). But still, that spark, that undeniable wow factor, feels a little elusive.

It’s the kind of album that you enjoy in the moment, but you don’t necessarily feel the urge to add to your “all-time favorites” playlist. It’s more of a “background vibe” album. Which, let’s be honest, is still a valid category of music! We all need music for when we’re trying to fold laundry or pretend we’re super productive.

Maybe I’m asking too much. Maybe my expectations are just too high. When an artist consistently delivers bops, you start to expect every single release to be a masterpiece. And perhaps So Close To What is just a really good, solid album that doesn’t quite reach the stratospheric heights of her previous work. And that’s perfectly fine!

It’s like ordering a pizza. Sometimes you get the pizza with the perfectly crispy crust and the ideal amount of cheese. Other times, it’s good, it hits the spot, but it’s not the pizza you’ll dream about. This album is that good-but-not-dreamy pizza.

So, to all the fellow Tate McRae fans out there who also feel this way, I see you. And I say, it’s okay to not be completely blown away by every single track. It doesn’t mean you don’t appreciate the artist. It just means you have discerning taste, or maybe you just prefer their other albums. And that’s perfectly valid.

Because in the grand scheme of things, is it a bad album? Absolutely not. Does it have moments of brilliance? Sure. Is it going to be the soundtrack to my life for the next decade? Probably not. And that’s the beauty of music, right? It’s subjective. What one person connects with deeply, another might just find… well, so close to what they were hoping for.

And that’s okay. Tate McRae is still amazing. This album is still a vibe. I’m just saying… maybe next time, we get that full-blown explosion of pure pop perfection. We’re ready!

Until then, I’ll keep listening. I’ll keep hoping for that moment. And I’ll keep my fingers crossed for that next album to be the one that has me texting everyone at 2 AM. Because even if an album is just “so close,” it still holds a special place in the world of tunes.