Tate McRae’s “So Close To What” Makes Records on Charts

Nina Krish and Olivia Ganes

Nine days before the release of her album, “So Close To What,” Tate McRae put her tracklist out on Instagram, posing next to a Hollywood star. The record is McRae’s first to reach No. 1 on Billboard 200.

Tate McRae released her third studio album, “So Close To What,” on Feb. 21, marking her first album to debut at No. 1 on the charts. The record contains 15 songs including four singles: “It’s ok I’m ok,” “2 hands,” “Sports car” and “Revolving door.” These four songs include the two of the biggest hits from the album as well as two standout collaborations.

“It’s ok I’m ok”

First released as a single, “It’s ok I’m ok” debuted on Sept. 21, 2024, as the biggest of her career, according to Billboard Charts. The song begins with high-energy clapping with overlapping synth, establishing an upbeat melody which drives the rest of the track. In the song, McRae sings about noticing her ex-boyfriend with a new girl and expresses her distaste for him while establishing her ability to move on from a past relationship. McRae repeats the phrase “I don’t want him anyway, girl take him” multiple times and which emphasizes her independence, straying away from her typically sad and mellow break-up songs. This song is not only a fan-favorite, but our favorite as well.

“Sports car”

Exactly a month before the full album, McRae dropped “Sports car,” which blends her characteristic pop elements with the subtleties of the R&B genre through smooth vocal delivery. McRae utilizes the symbol of a sports car to represent the adrenaline of love – similar to the feeling one gets while speeding in a sports car – through the lyrics “But you got a sports car (oh-oh) / While you drive it real far,” tying together her feelings of adrenaline in the car as well as in love which we absolutely adored.

“bloodonmyhands” (feat. Flo Milli)

McRae’s personal favorite from the album, “bloodonmyhands” featuring Flo Milli, is the perfect empowering anthem for anyone going through a tough break up. She expresses her exhaustion while dealing with an ex-boyfriend and her immediate relief following the breakup using the symbolism of blood with “I’ve got some blood on my hands / (I got blood on my hands) / Yeah I move as fast as I can.” However, Milli’s rap verse was not integrated into the song as smoothly as we had hoped.

“I know love” (feat. The Kid Laroi)

McRae sings alongside her current boyfriend The Kid Laroi, encapsulating a catchy tune with the unpredictability of love. This song captures the journey between McRae and The Kid Laroi: “We started off as friends, how you / end up here,” and “You said it was gon’ be quick, now we’re 12 months in.” “I know love” introduces a different aspect of McRae to her audience, showcasing her vulnerability and raw emotion with her current relationship rather than referring to the past. As many McRae fans enjoy this side of her, so do we, which is why we are adding it to our playlists immediately.

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About the Contributors

Nina Krish, Sports Editor

Nina Krish is the Sports Editor, a Photo Editor and a Business Manager for her second year on the Portola Pilot. During class, you can find her drinking her matcha that Kayley put her on and helping her best friend Olivia with her math homework. In her freetime, she enjoys napping and baking. She is so excited to work with all the new writers on the Pilot this year.

Olivia Ganes, Assistant Sports Editor

Olivia Ganes is the Assistant Sports Editor and Social Media Manager for her second year on the Portola Pilot. If she’s not rushing to finish her math homework, she’s probably ordering food and listening to Gracie Abrams on full blast in the back of the class with her best friend Nina. She loves writing sports stories and is so excited to see the different things the Pilot does this year.

Kayley Winata, Centerspread Editor

Kayley Winata is the Centerspread Editor for her second year on the Portola Pilot. During Pilot, you can find her sipping her matcha latte (that she woke up early to make) or plotting her next cafe adventure with Nina. In her spare time, you can find her mindlessly scrolling on Pinterest, baking her heart out or listening to Faye Webster and Luna Li on repeat on Spotify. She is so excited to create cute centerspreads and work with everyone on Pilot this year!