Tate McRae Reveals The Country Icon Who is Inspiring Her Next Album

Tate McRae has offered fans an early glimpse into the creative process behind her next album, revealing that country music icon Dolly Parton has become an unexpected source of inspiration. As the pop star begins working on her fourth studio record, she's turning to the legendary singer-songwriter's lyrics and timeless catalog to help shape her next musical chapter.  

Although McRae has remained tight-lipped about the sound of the upcoming project, she shared that she's still in the early stages of writing and experimenting with new ideas, describing the process as a "see-what-sticks" phase.  

In a recent interview with Variety, McRae revealed that she's been flipping through a Dolly Parton coffee-table book filled with the country legend's lyrics while listening to a playlist of Parton's songs. She uses the music as a creative reset while developing ideas for her next album. 

McRae even has a playlist dedicated to the process, explaining that she intentionally avoids listening to contemporary pop while writing. Instead, Parton's storytelling and songwriting have become a key part of her creative routine.  

While details remain scarce, McRae confirmed that work is officially underway on the follow-up to her chart-topping album So Close to What. She has already begun writing sessions with acclaimed songwriters Amy Allen and Emile Haynie, though she emphasized that the project is still evolving. 

The singer described herself as "mood-boarding" the record, experimenting with different ideas before settling on a clear direction.  

McRae's admiration for Dolly Parton has naturally sparked speculation that her next album could feature country influences.  

The possibility isn't entirely surprising. McRae has previously crossed into the country world through collaborations with Megan Moroney and Morgan Wallen and has continued to blur genre lines throughout her career, making a country-in.  

Following the success of So Close to What and its global tour, McRae is taking time to thoughtfully craft her next project rather than rushing into a new release. She recently admitted that wrapping up the Miss Possessive Tour left her emotionally drained, making this creative period an opportunity to recharge.