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Coolest New Pop Song of the Week: Addison Rae, “Diet Pepsi”
Looking for some motivation to help power you through the start of another work week? We feel you, and with some stellar new pop tunes, we’ve got you covered. These tracks from artists including Nina Nesbitt, Sophie Thatcher, Lunar Vacation, and more will get you energized to take on the week.
The Rise of Social Media Influencers in Pop Music
Before artists like Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, and Demi Lovato were accepted as arena-level pop stars in the 2010s, they were largely dismissed by critics and adult listeners as Disney-kid performers, making music for the youth and not to be taken too seriously. A pop generation later, the designation previously bestowed to Disney Channel grads has been transferred to social media influencers — many of whom, from the D’Amelio sisters to Huddy to Bella Poarch, are trying to translate millions of TikTok followers into mainstream music stardom, and who are still largely brushed off by music-biz gatekeepers.
Addison Rae’s Debut Single "Diet Pepsi"
Addison Rae exists in that group, too: the 23-year-old Louisiana native is a true triple-threat as an actress, former competitive dancer, and recording artist, who happens to have the fifth-most followers of any TikTok account. Last year, Rae’s debut EP AR contained some bright spots as a bubblegum project, and she popped up on the remix to Charli XCX’s "Von Dutch" in March alongside A.G. Cook, joining the Brat extended universe months before Brat Summer officially kicked off.
Now, with a newly signed Columbia Records deal, Rae has released her first solo single of 2024 — and after Rae’s past gestures at pop stardom, "Diet Pepsi" suggests that she could someday make the leap.
The Sound and Style of "Diet Pepsi"
"Diet Pepsi" plays out like a Lana Del Rey song refracted through a radio-ready lens. Soda gets sipped and blue jeans get ripped during a backseat encounter with a dude in a gold chain, as Rae delineates between sexually charged exposition in the verses, breathless utterances in the pre-chorus, and blissed-out falsetto in the hook ("When we drive in your car, I’m your baby / Losing all my innocence in the backseat," she sings) — shifting keys on the final chorus to emphasize her yearning.
The Music Video
The "Diet Pepsi" music video, directed by Sean Price Williams, leans into the Lana-esque Americana haze, with rapid black-and-white clips communicating bleary lust and pinup-model iconography. Yet Rae also puts her own playful spin on that image, grinning while covering her face with the American flag and planting her lipstick on a car window.
A Promising Step for Rae
Regardless of its future chart impact or role in preceding a proper Columbia Records album, "Diet Pepsi" is a promising step for Rae, as a beguiling pop track that establishes an aesthetic for the multi-hyphenate. The darkly shimmering sound is more mature than that of AR, but more importantly, it’s more clearly defined; Rae’s debut EP was impressive, but we’re now starting to get a better sense of who she could be as a recording artist. For Rae, "Diet Pepsi" might not be an immediate smash, but it could very well prove to be a turning point.
More New Pop Songs Worth Checking Out
Here are some new pop songs worth checking out this week:
Featured Artists
- Nina Nesbitt, "Anger"
- Lunar Vacation, "Tom"
- Sophie Thatcher, "Black and Blue"
- Chloe Qisha, "I Lied, I’m Sorry"
Conclusion
Addison Rae’s "Diet Pepsi" is a promising step in her pop career, showcasing her ability to craft a catchy and radio-ready track. With her debut EP and this new single, Rae is starting to establish herself as a recording artist with a unique sound and style. Whether or not "Diet Pepsi" becomes a hit, it’s clear that Rae is an artist to watch in the pop world.
FAQs
Q: Who is Addison Rae?
A: Addison Rae is a 23-year-old Louisiana native who is a triple-threat as an actress, former competitive dancer, and recording artist. She has the fifth-most followers of any TikTok account.
Q: What is the significance of "Diet Pepsi"?
A: "Diet Pepsi" is Rae’s first solo single of 2024 and suggests that she could make the leap to mainstream pop stardom.
Q: Who are some other new pop artists worth checking out?
A: Nina Nesbitt, Sophie Thatcher, Lunar Vacation, and Chloe Qisha are all featured artists in this article and are worth checking out for their unique sounds and styles.
Q: What is the significance of social media influencers in pop music?
A: Social media influencers, such as Rae, are trying to translate their online fame into mainstream music stardom, but are still largely brushed off by music-biz gatekeepers.
