Review Summary: The epitome of vibe and style
Addison Rae knows exactly how she wants to make you feel – young, horny, carefree, introspective, and impeccably styled – sunglasses, denim jacket, and half-burnt cigarette in hand. On her debut album,
Addison, the suggestive lyrics, breathy vocals and reverb-y synths all contribute in equal measure to one of the greatest exercises in mood and vibe that pop music has produced in the last decade, maybe since Lana Del Rey’s
Born To Die.
The drip-fed rollout has allowed us to appreciate each outstanding single for its own merits, but the full release of
Addison also offers up new thrills. “Money Is Everything” is my favourite new track – a full on LDR “National Anthem” pastiche, but with a fresh, 2020s spin that showcases Addison’s tongue-in-cheek personality. “Times Like These” is another beautiful mid-tempo tune, who’s whirlpooling synths perfectly match Addison’s confessional lyrics that speak to insecurity, loss, and most importantly hope.
Especially for a debut,
Addison is full of creativity and invention that sets it apart from a standard pop girl album – the pitched-down key change from “Diet Pepsi” became a viral moment for a reason, and will headline gay-music-video-nights for years. The all-female team that produced the album draws inspiration from late 90s Madonna, Kylie and Björk, and Addison herself brings the attitude of a Fiona Apple or Tori Amos. It’s a Gen Z spin on the pre-Y2K alt-pop sound that to this day still feels so boundary-pushing, yet soothingly nostalgic.
It would be a bold claim to say that TikTok star Addison Rae has produced a debut studio album on par with the classics from those era-defining divas – but it’s a claim I stand by.
Addison feels exciting, reverential, fully-realised, and timeless.
