Tate McRae Was ‘Devastated’ When Her Album Leaked. How She Regained ‘Control’

Reframing Leaks: Tate McRae’s “So Close to What”

Canadian pop star Tate McRae faced a challenging situation earlier this year when a substantial portion of her highly anticipated album, “So Close to What,” leaked online. Describing the experience as “a f—ing bummer,” McRae admitted to feeling “devastated” upon realizing the leak. “I was just so devastated because I’m like, ‘There’s nothing I can do about this. The whole project is online,’” she shared at a recent album listening event with Spotify.

A Creative Response to Adversity

Rather than succumbing to despair, McRae channeled her frustration into a proactive solution. She decided to write new tracks, resulting in the inclusion of “Like I Do” and “Bloodonmyhands” on the album. “From my problem-solving brain, I was just like, there’s nothing I can do now,” she recalled.”I wrote a song called ‘Like I Do’ and ‘Bloodonmyhands’ and just [tried] to grab as much control back as I could in that kind of situation.”

this creative turning point allowed mcrae to reclaim some agency over her artistic vision and ultimately enhance the album.

Navigating the Nuances of collaboration

“So Close to What” also features a notable collaboration with The Kid LAROI, McRae’s boyfriend. Sharing insights into the creative process,McRae acknowledged the intricacies of working with a romantic partner in a professional setting. “It was a really funny process as me and Laroi have never really taken each other seriously,” she quipped. “You know when you’re in a relationship, and you sing around each other, you don’t really sing. So, it’s a little stressful being in the studio, singing and writing in front of him, but it was a cool experience to watch him in his process.”

This collaboration adds another layer to the album, reflecting the complexities and rewards of blending personal and professional relationships.

A Deeper Look at the Leaks

Speaking at the Spotify event, McRae addressed the discrepancies between leaked versions and the final album. “The demo never sounds how you want it to sound. There’s so much missing,” she explained. “And yeah, at that point I was just like, ‘Ah, they’re not done or how I want them.’ And that was hard.” This underscores the importance of artist control and refining a musical vision throughout the production process.

Facing Challenges and Owning the Narrative

Tate McRae’s journey demonstrates resilience and creative adaptation in the face of unexpected challenges. By turning a possibly negative experience into a catalyst for artistic growth, she has solidified her position as a compelling artist who embraces authenticity and ownership over her work.

“So Close to What” is set to be a powerful testament to mcrae’s talent and determination and releases on February 21st.

How did Tate McRae channel the negative emotions surrounding the leak of her album into creative energy for the final product?

Archyde News: An Interview with Tate McRae on Reframing Leaks and Embracing Authenticity

Reframing Leaks: Tate McRae’s “So Close to What”

Canadian pop sensation Tate McRae faced an unexpected challenge earlier this year when her highly anticipated album, “So Close to What”, leaked online. Instead of letting the setback derail her, McRae turned the situation into an opportunity for creative growth. Recently, we caught up with the 20-year-old singer-songwriter to discuss her resilience, the nuances of collaboration, and her innovative approach to reclaiming her artistic vision.

Embracing Adversity: Turning a Leak into Artistic growth

Archyde News (AN): Tate, you recently opened up about how the leak of your album, “So Close to What”, left you feeling devastated. How did you manage to turn that initial disappointment into a creative turning point?

Tate McRae (TM): It was definitely a shock. I was so upset because I felt like I lost control over my project. But, as an artist, you just have to keep moving. I couldn’t change what happened, so I wrote ‘Like I Do’ and ‘Bloodonmyhands’ to regain some control. It was therapeutic and ended up adding a new dimension to the album.

Navigating Collaboration: Working with The Kid LAROI

Speaking of new dimensions,your album features a collaboration with The Kid LAROI,your boyfriend. How was the creative process navigating both personal and professional dynamics?

TM: (Laughs) It was definitely interesting! Laroi and I don’t usually take each other seriously when we sing together,so working in the studio was a new experience. It was stressful at times, but seeing his process was rewarding. It also added a unique layer to the album.

The Final Cut: refining the vision

At a recent Spotify event, you mentioned the disparities between the leaked demos and the final tracks. Can you elaborate on that process and how it shaped the final product?

TM: The demos never quiet capture what you envision for the final track. There’s so much that goes into production – mixing,layering,enhancement. When the leaks happened, I was upset because the tracks weren’t refined yet.But, in hindsight, it pushed me to ensure the final album was exactly what I wanted.

Resilience and Authenticity: Owning Your Narrative

Your journey from the leak to the final product is a testament to resilience and creative adaptation. What advice do you have for other artists facing unexpected challenges?

TM: Don’t let unexpected setbacks control your narrative. Every challenge is an opportunity to grow and evolve. Embrace your authenticity, and make the most of every situation – good or bad.

special thanks to Tate McRae for sharing her insights.”So Close to What” releases on February 21st. Pre-order now to hear the final product of Tate’s resilience and creativity. What challenges have you faced and turned into opportunities for growth? Share your stories in the comments below.