Tate McRae’s third single, “Sports Car” — co-written with pop music geniuses Ryan Tedder and Julia Michaels — from her upcoming album “So Close to What” hit the charts this past Friday. Despite its title, the music video does not feature a single car, leaving many fans confused but intrigued. Released alongside the track, the video has already helped the song earn the title of the Top New Release Song on Billboard as of Jan. 24. Fans are calling it an absolute banger, sharing the story about love, thrill, self-discovery and self-expression, while eagerly awaiting the full album’s release on Feb. 26.
In the music video, McRae portrays a watcher, possibly in a prison, moving along through multiple doors and observing different versions of herself through one-way glass. Each version of her showcases distinct fashion styles, behaviors and choreography. However, it’s not just the storyline that made everyone talk — it’s the fashion. The video has been praised as an experimental, fashion-inspired piece from Vogue to Cosmopolitan.
The 21-year-old Canadian pop star pushes boundaries by wearing 12 archival looks, including a Roberto Cavalli corset from the Spring 2007 collection, a Balmain motocross-inspired top, Alexander McQueen’s iconic pony heels and many others. As Vogue notes, “This risk has proved to be a success,” with McRae exuding an early 2000s pop star aura reminiscent of a young Britney Spears while confidently dancing in seven-inch platform heels.
Vogue isn’t alone in creating comparisons. Since the success of her song “Greedy” and McRae’s recreation of Spears’ iconic look at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, platforms and magazines like BuzzFeed and People have been drawing parallels between the two pop artists. Yet, “So Close to What” feels like a breakthrough moment for McRae — bolder, darker and more artistically confident than anything she’s done before.
While it’s not a complete rebrand, it feels like a step up from her earlier music video hits like “Greedy” and “exes.” This new era showcases a more mature, confident artist with a playful, edgy vibe, allowing McRae more artistic freedom and self-expression. As she grows up, so does her music. None of us should be shocked, she is not the same cute pop star we saw in “You Broke Me First” a couple years ago. Pulling fashion archives and experimenting with multiple wigs and personas might symbolize exactly that — her desire to break free from industry expectations. She’s pushing creative boundaries with bold concepts, intricate choreography and even a live horse on set — yes, a real horse — to showcase that she is able to do anything and create bold music videos like Lady Gaga or Beyoncé did before her.
And she is not scared of criticism.
“With this album, there is a lot of experimenting. It’s way more daring lyrically and musically than anything I’ve ever put before. Being in my position, I’m opening the doors for everyone to judge and watch me, to put out their opinion of me. This video felt like taking back control,” McRae shared.
While the fans await the full album, “Sports Car” and two other released singles, “It’s ok, I’m ok” and “2 hands” hint at a fresh, bold and original sound. Perhaps it may even secure that long anticipated Grammy nomination for next year.
