Pitchfork gives ‘So Close To What’ by Tate McRae a score of 6/10

[Teletubby 142,936]

PopBase

Is Tate McRae a main pop girl yet? Let’s consider the evidence: She has an onstage alter ego (Tatiana) and a cheeky moniker for her fan base (“Tater Tots”). She got name dropped by Drake. Her latest album leaked at the beginning of the year. Stans are shaking their fists at the sky declaring they were here first, and will wait patiently until the rest of the world finally catches up. But even with her 12.9 billion streams (and counting), extensive world tours, and co-signs from pop’s new guard, the Canadian performer’s onstage starpower consistently seems misaligned with her unprovocative take on pop. On her third album, So Close to What, the pop star amps up the 2000s pop-inspired tracks, dials up the sex, and sprinkles in the ballads, as a small treat. And while the result is more enjoyable than its predecessors, its nostalgic rush still can’t make up for its lack of originality.

Over its runtime, So Close to What becomes tedious, Xeroxing elements that worked for other pop stars to less effective results. When a chopped and pitch-shifted post-chorus first appears on the sultry “Miss possessive,” it’s a serviceable earworm that will surely make for a flashy dance break onstage. But then she repeats the idea on “No I’m not in love” and “2 hands,” and each time its luster diminishes. On “Purple lace bra,” McRae voices her frustrations with the media and men for valuing her only when she caters to their sexual desires. While her convictions are relatable and clear enough, there’s a stringy Charli XCX intro, FKA twigs inflected yelps, and a breathy Addison Rae-esque melody, all within the first 45 seconds. There’s no harm in taking inspiration from others. But here, it sounds like McRae and her writing team hopped on the left-of-center-pop bandwagon without building out something new and wholly Tate—and it’s hard to make leftovers taste as enticing as when they were first served hot and fresh.

https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/tate-mcrae-so-close-to-what/

[chun li 2,839]

a bit high ngl

[Gagaism 10,868]

Lmao I’ve been seeing this tater tots thing here lately and I’m just now realizing it’s her fan base name 

[dollardays 3,622]

So close to 7

[HoeMoe 1,229]

Just realized that this is higher A Star is Born and ARTPOP. They cant be taken serious  

 

edit; sorry this is off-topic but.... 

Edited February 26 by HoeMoe

[alsemanche 92,632]

51 minutes ago, Teletubby said:

Is Tate McRae a main pop girl yet?

No, next question

[StarstruckIllusion 52,231]

Genuinely do not need to hear their Mayhem review..

[Teletubby 142,936]

13 minutes ago, alsemanche said:

next question

since when are you MPG expert?

[HIM820 1,781]

It’s all an opinion so who really cares, but this is reading like this journalist was expecting it to perform like her last albums and repeated talking points from online. The faceless, background dancer, girl group critiques don’t make any sense when she’s about to out debut a lot of well established popstars. In the span of 4-5 years she has obviously cultivated a dedicated fanbase that’s now expanding to gp. 

[clownery 5,463]

Did they lie? The album is super basic and the baby voice doesn't help 

[Hydrangea 6,129]

1 hour ago, HoeMoe said:

Just realized that this is higher A Star is Born and ARTPOP. They cant be taken serious  

 

edit; sorry this is off-topic but.... 

They’re too scared of the RitArmy to even try a review 

[high culture 2,134]

3 hours ago, StarstruckIllusion said:

Genuinely do not need to hear their Mayhem review..

I have a feeling they will give it praise

[phantasmas 10,267]

Carly wins again 

[phantasmas 10,267]

5 hours ago, HoeMoe said:

Just realized that this is higher A Star is Born and ARTPOP. They cant be taken serious  

 

edit; sorry this is off-topic but....