Tate McRae, the woman you are. It’s taken me hours sitting in front of my computer screen to even start this article because I’ve been searching for something appropriate to say.

I first discovered McRae in 2013 when she was featured on the 13th season of “So You Think You Can Dance.” Unbeknownst to me, McRae was already a legend in the dance world. My dedication to that season of “SYTYCD” and her third-place finish showed me exactly why.

Not long after completing “SYTYCD,” McRae started a YouTube series called “Create with Tate,” where she shared her creative process writing songs. 

Her debut was a song called “One Day” that was released in 2017. Her true breakout song, though, was released in 2021, titled “you broke me first.”

McRae went on to release a few more albums, all on the sadder side, focusing on things like heartbreak, failed friendships and self-doubt.

I kept up with her loosely for a few years until she dropped “greedy” in September of 2023, and I was immediately obsessed.

The songs about heartbreak and hardships were beautiful, but McRae really seemed to find her sound with the release of “greedy.” The danceable beat was a full 180 degrees from previous albums.

In December of 2023, she dropped her album “THINK LATER” and I was completely hooked on her and her music.

I especially loved her song “cut my hair,” where she sings “sad girl s— got a little boring,” verbalizing the end of that heartbreak-focused era for her.

In the past few years, the world has been lucky enough to experience a resurgence of the “2000s pop princess.” From Sabrina Carpenter to Olivia Rodrigo to Chappell Roan and, of course, McRae, the pop of Britney Spears’ peak is back.

Something I love about McRae’s performance style is her combination of vocals and dance. She didn’t give up dance to become a singer — she incorporated the two to become the pop star she is.

Her music is spunky, catchy and so easy to dance to, but her lyrics still have depth, which she proved through songs like “plastic palm trees” and “grave.”

McRae’s most recent accomplishment, though, was the release of her album “So Close to What” in February of 2025.

I absolutely loved “THINK LATER,” but “So Close to What” opened up another side of McRae. For the first time, she really taps into what it is to be a 21-year-old girl, exploring the themes of love and sexuality in her music.

This album is a lot more R-rated than past albums, but in the best way possible. When I listened to her single “Sports car,” I audibly gasped at her second pre-chorus. (I’ll let you investigate that one by yourself.)

I especially appreciate her song “Purple lace bra.” The lyrics of this song are pretty blatantly provocative but are meant to be metaphorical, representing her relationship with the media.

In her interview with Jake Shane on his podcast “Therapuss,” McRae said, “My relationship with the media was what this song talked about. I would feel confident and empowered one day in my own skin, and it would be completely misunderstood the next day.”

Despite her clarification of the meaning of the song, it’s one that I find myself relating to and appreciating by taking the lyrics literally.

As a 22-year-old girl, it’s nice to find representation through music. I can enjoy the catchiness, the art and the relatability of her music all at once.

I adore the entire album. From “Like I do” to “No I’m not in love” to “Miss possessive,” not to mention her duet with boyfriend The Kid LAROI in “I know love,” this is truly a no-skips album for me.

I could just continue to list my favorites, but I’d be doing a disservice not to highlight the fifth song on McRae’s album, “Dear god.”

By the end of this song, I felt like I needed to rinse my ears with holy water and apologize to my mom, but in the best way possible.

The way McRae sings explicitly about sex and love sends an important message to girls everywhere about owning their sexuality and prioritizing their pleasure.

And, of course, it is ridiculously catchy.

I cannot recommend this album enough, especially considering her music video for “Revolving door” and recent performance of “Sports car” on “Saturday Night Live.”

With endless praises and excitement for her future, I say again, Tate McRae, the woman you are.

Price can be reached at [email protected].