Grammy-nominated artist, Tate McRae, released the deluxe version of her album “So Close to What” on Nov. 21. Featuring five new tracks, “SO CLOSE TO WHAT??? (deluxe),” is undoubtedly McRae’s best work yet. The deluxe edition brings her growth as an artist to light and showcases her lack of vulnerability, even shortly after a breakup.

After recent speculation, McRae confirmed that she and boyfriend, The Kid Laroi, had broken up. Rumors circulated online that The Kid Laroi had cheated on McRae, although this theory has not yet been publicly discussed by McRae or The Kid Larou. The fourth track, “HORSESHOE,” contains a lyric that supports this theory, McRae saus: “Sleeping with another girl’s what you meant by/We were moving different ways.” Before this, their breakup was made clear when McRae first put out her most recent single, “TIT FOR TAT,” as the song contained lyrics fighting back against The Kid Laroi’s song “A COLD PLAY.” The lyrics of The Kid Laroi’s song said: “Fix you, fix you, fix you, wish I could/Miss you, miss you, miss you, I miss you.” McRae was seemingly upset about this, and sang: “Let’s go song for song, let’s go back to back/Fix your f***ing self, kiss my a** for that.” 

With the deluxe, McRae also released a track titled “ANYTHING BUT LOVE,” which contains lyrics suggesting people’s hatred for The Kid Laroi after their breakup. Fans were able to hear the demo version of the song online before the deluxe album’s release, as it had been “leaked”— or released without McRae knowing on social media prior to its official release. However, with the official release, the track has been reworked for streaming platforms and contains new, more complex lyrics, that weren’t previously featured in the demo.

For “So Close to What”, McRae and The Kid Laroi collaborated on a song titled “I know love,” which ironically is still featured on the album, even after their breakup.

With the deluxe edition’s release, McRae also put out a striking new music video for “NOBODY’S GIRL,” available to view on YouTube. This likely means that the track will be promoted as a radio single for the deluxe album, making “NOBODY’S GIRL” the sixth radio single from the “So Close to What” project. The track remarks on McRae and The Kid Laroi’s breakup, claiming she loves being single, as “real love doesn’t clip your wings.”

McRae has been on her “Miss Possessive Tour” throughout this year and announced the deluxe album on the last night of the tour; which was Nov. 8. She made each song during the tour, and as said in her YouTube video titled: “TIT FOR TAT (Behind The Scenes),” McRae recorded vocals while on the road; even after shows where she sang for over two hours.  

“SO CLOSE TO WHAT??? (deluxe)” showcases McRae staying true to herself and not letting her breakup define who she is. The deluxe edition is likely the only music McRae will release for the time being, as she previously claimed she is going to take a break so her body can relax after an extensive tour. However, there is always a possibility she will release a new album sooner rather than later, as she has released three albums in the past four years.