Addison Rae’s highly anticipated debut album, Addison, released this past Friday — and it’s already been established as the album of the summer. The record in its entirety is a mesmerizing love letter to Rae’s inspirations, pop, and fame.
From TikTok Star to Pop Princess
It’s rare for a TikTok influencer, known for lip syncing and dancing, to successfully launch a music career. Many TikTokers, including Rae, gave it a try at the pinnacle of their fame but failed horribly. When Addison’s single Obsessed was released back in 2021, it received a lot of hate for its unoriginal lyrics and generic pop sound. Her 2023 EP, AR, generated more praise and less mockery. However, it was Rae’s recent reinvention into a chic, avant-garde pop princess and success with Diet Pepsi that launched her to stardom.
Addison soon released four more singles (Aquamarine, High Fashion, Headphones On, and Fame is a Gun), complete with hypnotizing music videos, all of which solidified her unique style and aesthetic. Fans and critics have praised Rae for her triumphant single run and compared her constant success to Madonna in the late ’90s and Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream single run. Rae’s success set high expectations for her debut album, and after listening to the album on repeat, we can confidently say she blew those expectations out of the water.
Addison: A Darling Pop Fantasy and Ode to Stars
Addison is a dreamy pop fantasy brimming with hedonistic femininity and zany lyricism. The opener, New York, presents a brisk love letter to the city on a synth-pop melody. Diet Pepsi paints Rae as a lustful good-girl-next-door in a mesmerizing blend of airy vocals and alluring whispers. In Money is Everything and High Fashion, she transforms into a self-indulgent supernova with materialistic desires, cheeky lyrics like “money loves me,” and references to superstars (Lana Del Rey, Lady Gaga, and Marilyn Monroe). Aquamarine and Fame is a Gun ooze with confidence and dare listeners to dance along with ’90s-inspired synths. Headphones On and Times Like These provide a look into Rae’s issues with family and fame on catchy dance-pop melodies.
In her debut album, Rae pays homage to pop acts of the ’90s and 2000s, like Madonna and Britney Spears, and reigning stars, like Lana Del Rey, Charli XCX, and FKA twigs. Rae’s blend of nostalgia and innovation sets her sound apart from current pop stars. Rae worked exclusively with Elvira Anderfjärd and Luka Kloser (with the addition of Tove Burman on Lost & Found and High Fashion) to write and produce the album. It’s unusual for artists to use the same producers for the entire album, and even more rare for the whole production team to be female. It’s clear that neither of them are afraid to experiment with synths, rhythms, and sounds that complement Rae’s voice and style.
What really sets Rae’s album apart from today’s pop acts is the uncertainty of who she is as an artist and as a person in general. While other pop stars’ distinct styles and aesthetics shine through their music and personality (Sabrina Carpenter’s cheeky, retro, and ultra-feminine style or Chappell Roan’s eclectic drag aesthetic), Addison exposes very little about Addison Rae. Addison Rae is just out of reach, and she prefers it that way. In Fame is a Gun, Rae sings, “Tell me who I am” and “Don’t ask too many questions,” telling her audience not to overthink who she is. If you’re engaging in debates about her authenticity on social media, maybe it’s better not to question it.
We can’t wait to see what’s next for Addison Rae! Tell us your thoughts on the album on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter/X!
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