Album Review // Addison Rae // Addison

Columbia Records

3.5/5 stars

Addison Rae makes a solid case for pop stardom on her self-titled debut. Less than two years ago, the career of TikToker-turned-musician Addison Rae was considered a joke. After her 2023 EP AR received a lukewarm response, many dismissed her as another TikTok star with fleeting musical ambitions. However, 2024 signaled a change for the better. Her remix of Charli XCX's "Von Dutch" in March and the release of her single "Diet Pepsi" in August showcased newfound artistic confidence. Said growth worked out in spades as both tracks became popular in the internet space and pop music, garnering mainstream radio play. This momentum built anticipation for Addison, the musician's debut album. Created by a braintrust of just three people (Addison Rae, Luka Kloser, and Elvira Anderfjärd), the project separates the musician from her biggest industry co-signs. Addison Rae showcases herself as a genre and cultural butterfly, jumping between eras and soundscapes with ease: The Lana Del Rey inspiration on "Diet Pepsi" pairs tastefully with various homages to Madonna's '90s era on "New York" and "Summer Forever." This melding of styles creates an album that feels both wholly original while still holding reverence for the materials that influenced the sound. By leaning into her musical instincts and defying expectations, Addison Rae has turned skeptics into believers.