NEW YORK – The arrival of the summer’s pop album has made waves as Addison Rae drops her debut record, “Addison.” Packed with sparkling, enchanting pop tracks, it caters to the post-“BRAT” audience with a fresh air of exuberance and hedonism. A new sensation emerges in this multifaceted pop landscape.
For those who have witnessed her meteoric ascent, Rae’s journey is almost unbelievable. Merely a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, the young star appeared on “The Tonight Show,” showcasing a few viral TikTok dance moves to host Jimmy Fallon. Criticism followed swiftly, a reaction often faced by young women in the digital space. Rae, however, turned this into her strength, propelling her from a social media darling to an actress, later collaborating with Charli XCX on a “Von Dutch” remix. By age 24, Rae has evolved into a hyper-ambitious pop icon tailored for the contemporary era.
“Addison” identifies with the flexible nature of today’s pop music, fluidly crossing genre borders. Each track stands out, from the pitch-tinted trip-hop of “Headphones On” to the snapping beats, moody chords, alluring lyrics, and fading synths of “High Fashion.” The album also features “Aquamarine,” reminiscent of Madonna’s “Ray of Light,” a house beat complementing its chantable chorus: “The world is my oyster / Baby, come touch the pearl / The world is my oyster / And I’m the only girl.” Humor and the essence of girlhood intertwine with an element of playful irony, as seen in “Money Is Everything,” where she declares, “I’m the richest girl in the world!” followed by a cheerful giggle.
While Rae isn’t revolutionizing the pop scene, she draws inspiration from a variety of influences. Her narrative echoes that of Britney Spears: both hail from Louisiana, catapulted to fame at a young age, and crafted their signature, sensual pop sounds in Stockholm, with notable producer Max Martin. The album draws comparisons to Lana Del Rey’s “Born to Die” with “Diet Pepsi,” reminiscent of Charli XCX’s energy in “New York,” and hints of Enya in the ethereal production of “Summer Forever.”
Collaborating primarily with Luka Kloser and Elvira Anderfjärd (known simply as Elvira), Rae embraced a more intimate production team for “Addison,” an unusual move for a major pop album. This closeness contributes to its unique essence, balancing between personal, close-up recordings and larger-than-life anthems. “Fame Is a Gun” is a prime example—a potential summer anthem steeped in synthetic vocals and an irresistible chorus.
Leading up to “Addison’s” release, Rae has portrayed her TikTok beginnings as a mere stepping stone. For someone coming from Lafayette, Louisiana, social media can be a powerful tool for breaking into Hollywood. Rae’s dance skills on TikTok acted as a springboard for her path to pop fame, reminiscent of how Justin Bieber attained stardom through YouTube covers years back. Thus, it feels symbolic that Rae’s impressive debut aims to achieve what her TikTok videos strived for—to inspire dance and get audiences moving right along with her.