Some may think of Addison Rae as just another TikTok star turned musician, but her debut album, “Addison,” dispels any doubt about her ability to establish herself in the industry.
Listeners familiar with Rae’s EP, “AR,” were likely surprised by the album’s first single, “Diet Pepsi,” which had a noticeably more polished sound. As the single quickly climbed the charts and received praise for its catchy hooks and improved vocals, many listeners looked forward to the release of the full album, myself included.
The 12 song dance-pop album feels both nostalgic and fresh. Songs like “Money is Everything” and “Fame Is a Gun” embody the lively and catchy style of early 2000s pop. Rae said that she took influence from Madonna’s “Ray Of Light” when shaping the album’s overall sound. Madonna’s influence is noticeable on “Headphones On” where the mix of electronic beats and emotional vocals replicate what Madonna did on “Ray Of Light.”
Two songs that stand out to me are the aforementioned “Diet Pepsi,” and track 4, “Aquamarine.” “Diet Pepsi,” a synth-heavy song that peaked at No. 54 on Billboard’s Hot 100, features vibrant electronic lines and lyrics that vividly capture the feelings of youth, innocence and personal transformation. The song blends sultry synth-pop with a modern alt-pop twist. On the other hand, “Aquamarine” is noteworthy because of its dreamy tone and layered vocals that are supported by lyrics centered on self discovery, freedom and transformation. I like both of these songs because they highlight how much she has matured as an artist from her earlier music.
My favorite song on the album is “In the Rain” because it captures vulnerability and focuses on hidden feelings rather than overt displays of emotion. As a public figure constantly under scrutiny, and especially as a woman in the media, Rae’s song offers a greater message of staying true to oneself despite external pressure. She achieves this by keeping the faster and uplifting sound of the previous songs but incorporating more introspective lyrics compared to the rest of the album. However, she quickly swings back to the fun and flirty vibe of the earlier tracks to close out the album, especially with the single “Headphones On.”
Overall, I enjoy the album, but one of the main downsides is that many of the songs tend to blur together sonically. The production gravitates toward a consistent tone and rhythm, which makes it hard to distinguish one song from the next. That said, “Addison” stands out as a defining release that captures a dreamy feeling and has allowed Rae to skyrocket into the world of artistic pop.
Published and digitized October 2025.
