“Addison” by Addison Rae is a genuinely impressive debut—and not something I expected to say. I’ll admit I used to write her off completely. I associated her with TikTok dances, the Hype House and everything that felt like cringeworthy influencer culture. But after hearing “Diet Pepsi” for the first time, my perspective had completely shifted. What started as skepticism turned into real interest, and after listening to the full album, it’s clear Rae is actually crafting a distinct pop sound.
I was in my friend’s car when she cranked up the speakers and said, “Listen to this.” As the song filled the car, I was honestly shocked, not just because it was excellent, but because it felt intentional. The production was clean and addictive, and her vocals fit the track in a way I didn’t expect. Even though it’s not my favorite song on the album, it works perfectly as a single, setting the tone for the dreamy, slightly nostalgic pop sound that carries throughout the entire project.
Some of the strongest tracks on the album are “In the Rain,” “Times Like These,” “Aquamarine,” and “Summer Forever,” each offering something slightly different while still feeling cohesive to the album. “In the Rain” stands out the most for me because of its hypnotic rhythm. It’s one of those moments where the song just completely takes over, and you can’t help but get lost in it. Songs like “Aquamarine” lean more atmospheric, while “Summer Forever” has a brighter, more carefree energy, showing her range without losing consistency.
Rae created an album that feels poppy, dreamy, clubby and chaotic. It’s become the soundtrack to my life, and I love how each track takes you to a certain emotion or place. The album feels cohesive to me because it all falls under the same genre. I don’t think that’s a bad thing, but I want her to expand and create music that’s different from her debut album.
Rae has proven that she is not a cringey influencer that’s dancing for money but rather someone who knows what she’s stepping into. The album completely changed my view of her and her talent and has sparked my curiosity for her sophomore album. She is a Grammy-nominated artist for a reason, and it’s only up from here for her.
