Canadian pop star, Tate McRae, has once again captured the music world’s attention with her latest album, “So Close to What,” released last month with huge success, raising the charts worldwide. The 21-year-old singer-songwriter, who first gained recognition as a competitive dancer before transitioning to music, continues to evolve her sound with what she describes as a “dark pop sound” heavily influenced by early 2000s R&B.
“So Close to What” features tracks that showcase McRae’s growth as both a vocalist and songwriter, with the opening track “Miss Possessive” setting the tone for an album that feels “more grown” and “more feminine,” as McRae recently told Vogue.
One of the album’s standout moments is her collaboration with Australian artist The Kid LAROI on the track “I Know Love.” The duet holds special significance as LAROI is also McRae’s real-life boyfriend, bringing extra meaning to the song, “I think I really embraced being a woman for the first time,” McRae shared in her February Vogue interview. “I had never actually experienced so many of these emotions before.”
Following the album’s success, McRae has announced the “So Close Tour,” which will kick off in her home country with a show in Vancouver, Canada on August 4th. The tour will then head to the United States, with her first U.S. performance scheduled for Boston on August 26th. The tour will conclude with a final show in California on November 8th, spanning over three months of performances. What makes this schedule even more impressive is that McRae wrapped up her previous “Think Later” world tour only a few months ago. “I think as a dancer I’m inherently a workaholic, so time off doesn’t suit me very well,” she explained to Vogue.
Since her 2023 breakout hit “Greedy,” McRae has skyrocketed to international fame. Her performances, known for their high-energy choreography that showcases her “So You Think You Can Dance” roots, have won over fans worldwide. Her authentic lyrics and dance-infused shows have made her especially popular among teens and young adults, many of whom fill our school’s hallways with her music between classes. The album arrives as McRae continues to hold her place as one of pop music’s most promising young talents, with multiple award nominations already announced for her latest work.
Tickets for the “So Close Tour” are on sale now on Ticketmaster, Stub Hub, and SeatGeek. Go purchase your tickets now! This is a tour you won’t want to miss.
Hess, Liam.”On So Close to What, Tate McRae Turns Her Growing Pains Into High-Octane Pop.”Vogue, February 21, 2025,https://www.vogue.com/article/tate-mcrae-so-close-to-what-interview.
First-Year Ashley Witkowski is the Campus Life Editor. Her email is awitkows@fandm.edu.