Written by Miha Palancha. Graphic by Miha Palancha.
When “THINK LATER” dropped it solidified Tate McRae as part of my daily rotation. Over the past year, “run for the hills” climbed the ranks to become one of my favorite songs of all time. So when she first dropped “It’s ok I’m ok,” I was excited—new music, a new album era—but the song didn’t fully do it for me. After a few listens, it slipped out of my loop faster than I expected. Then came “2 hands,” and suddenly, I was all in. Not only was it a certified bop, but as an F1 girlie the music video was also everything. I loved the pace, the choreography and the visual direction. Funnily enough, when I circled back to “It’s ok I’m ok,” it had grown on me, especially after watching all the TikToks of its performances alongside the “2 hands” dance break.
That’s the thing about Tate McRae. She’s not just a pop artist; she’s a performer. Her music hits differently after you watch her embody it on stage. When “So Close To What” finally dropped, I knew I had to sit with it, live with it and let it sink in before forming my full opinion. After a month of listening, here’s where I stand.
“Purple lace bra” isn’t just a provocative title. McRae explained that this song reflects her relationship with the media and how, as she steps into her early 20s, she feels more exposed. It’s a raw, introspective track that balances confidence with vulnerability. Also, fun detail—she wears the actual purple lace bra in the “It’s ok I’m ok” music video. Then there’s “Sports car,” a song engineered to go viral. The whispering in the chorus? That was Julia Michaels’ idea. She told McRae she needed a “Ying Yang Twins moment,” and wow, did it deliver. In “Purple lace bra” she says, “Would you hear me more if I whispered in your ear?” What’s the most-played part of the song on TikTok? That whisper, obviously.
“Greenlight” is a perfect driving song. And, a fun fact for the Canadians: when she sang “120 on the PCH,” she meant 120 km/h. That’s about 75 mph, which is way less rebellious than it sounds. She revealed that in a breakdown of the lyrics, and honestly, it made me laugh. But beyond these individual moments, the album doesn’t just feel like a collection of songs—but a full experience. From high-energy dance tracks to mid-tempo slow burns, it all flows effortlessly. Also, the production? Chef’s kiss. Nostalgic yet fresh, full of breathy whispers, light gasps and all those millennial-era pop elements that somehow feel brand new again. Also, did you know Sydney Sweeney’s voice is in the opening track? I didn’t either, but now I can’t unhear it.
Picking a favorite is hard because they keep changing, but the ones I’ve had on loop the most are “2 hands,” “Revolving door,” “Dear god,” “bloodonmyhands,” “Signs” and “Means I care.” Also, let’s talk about “Revolving door,” because I’m a stan. I cannot get enough of it. Then there’s “I know love”: so cute, so wholesome, so genuine. The music video? Adorable. This album is a return to form—a pop album that knows it’s a pop album. McRae’s versatility is on full display, and there’s not a single skip. She worked hard on this project and it shows. It’s the kind of album that makes you want to scream lyrics in your room, dance around dramatically and maybe even whisper-sing in your own sports car (or, in my case, my friend’s very normal, non-sports car). It’s all I’ve been listening to since it came out. Now, all that’s left is to see it live. If all goes well, I really hope I get to catch her on tour this fall.
Miha is a first-year Graphic Design student, minoring in Motion Media and UX Design. She loves writing, recording, and designing cool things for District. Otherwise, you’ll probably find her at a coffee shop, listening to Taylor Swift and designing or animating something cool 
