Addison Rae Easterling, who simply goes by Addison Rae, was born on October 6, 2000, in Lafayette, Louisiana. In 2019, she rose to prominence as a creator with “The Hype House” on TikTok, posting herself dancing and lip-syncing to popular songs for her 88 million followers. In 2021, Rae also launched her music career with her debut single, “Obsessed,” released through Sandlot Records, followed by her debut EP, “AR.” However, she found major success in 2024 with her hit single “Diet Pepsi,” recorded with Columbia Records. The subsequent album premiered at number four on the Billboard 200, proving her foray into a serious music career a success.
With 12 tracks, “Addison” is a Y2K-inspired blend of alternative pop genres that gives each song a unique, nostalgic feel, telling Rae’s story of navigating the transition from influencer to serious artist. Through a fuzzy poppy sound, Rae’s lyricism paints a picture of her struggles with public perception, forming modern relationships, and finding herself.
The opening track, “New York,” introduces listeners to the contrast of Rae’s delicate soprano vocals over synth-inspired instrumentals, which build from mellow to faster-paced and danceable, a trend that continues throughout the album.
Next is perhaps the best and most well-known song on the album, “Diet Pepsi”, and right from the beginning, listeners know it will be a hit. The deep, wavering synth instrumentation leads into Rae showing off her vocal range and ability to create a catchy, mesmerizing chorus, featuring lyrics such as “When we drive in your car, I’m your baby (so sweet) / Losing all my innocence in the back seat.” The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a nostalgic teenage experience, with Diet Pepsi serving as both a metaphor for provocative, edgy femininity, as well as a literal detail in the hazy, indulgent memory of being young and in love. In this song, as well as others on the album, Rae blends nostalgic pop with 2010s aesthetics’ vintage imagery and penchant for idealizing “melancholic beauty.”
“Summer Forever” has the same nostalgic, wistful tone as “Diet Pepsi,” starting with a swirl of overlapping, hypnotic vocals. The chorus, “All my fears thrown out the window / Makes it feel like summer forever,” sung with Rae’s soaring, breathy vocals, contrasts milder moments that describe hedonistic memories to create a truly magical moment for the listener. This track captures the fleeting nature of young love, shimmering with both euphoric and bittersweet energy that perfectly fits the feel of the album.
Disrupting the dreamy atmosphere created throughout most of “Addison” is “Aquamarine,” a highly danceable, house-inspired track. However, the depth of the upbeat instrumentation and repetitive lyrics left this track feeling a bit one-note compared to the layered accompaniments and emotions exemplified in other tracks. That being said, Rae’s experimentation with different musical styles adds to the themes of self-discovery and her finding her footing as an artist, so it does not detract much from “Addison” as a whole.
Rae takes inspiration from hyper-pop icons, such as Lady Gaga and Charli XCX, in “Fame is a Gun.” The fast-paced beat and electronic instrumentals provide the perfect backdrop for Rae to explore the admiration and power that come with her unapologetic lust for life. She boldly sings, “You got a front row seat and I / I got a taste of the glamorous life,” which could have easily come off conceited, though in the context of Rae navigating fame, it feels more like a confession than an exhibition of her influence.
“Addison” comes to a close with “Headphones On,” an indie-sounding track that explores the realistically negative moments many people experience and how Rae has found comfort in them. “Guess I gotta accept the pain” and “Every good thing comes my way / So I put my headphones on” are just a few of the lyrics in this song that capture the quiet resilience Rae has adopted as she finds her way in the world. This track is an excellent finale for the album, as it ties together the varied themes of adolescent growth that Rae shared throughout all 12 songs.
Overall, “Addison” was a surprisingly well-conceptualized and executed album, with Rae proving herself as more than just an influencer-turned-singer. The project’s evocative sound and Rae’s airy, emotive vocals make it both sonically cohesive and emotionally resonant. Though tracks like “Aquamarine” and “Fame is a Gun” feel somewhat out of place in the dreamy atmosphere of the album, they still stand strong on their own and add to Rae’s story of experimentation and self-discovery. Because of these occasional stylistic detours, the album can feel a little disjointed at times, but its ambition shines through—earning “Addison” a well-deserved 4.5 out of 5 stars.