‘High Fashion’ Review: Addison Rae Is A New Pop Culture Princess

Addison Rae started her music journey with her 2023 EP entitled AR. The EP was met with low critical and commercial success and fell into the TikTok music trend of the time. Underbaked pop music meant to do numbers on social media, with little artistry or personable touches to be found. After AR, Rae stayed away from music for a year, returning in May of 2024 for the first remix of the culture-defining album Brat by Charli XCX. Rae was featured in the remix for Von dutch along with A.G Cook. This was the first time we were given an insight into what Addison could do. In the remix is an iconic scream that was improvised by Rae, which made the remix so memorable. 

Since this Von dutch, Addison Rae has released two singles, Diet Pepsi and Aquamarine. Both songs are just further proof of her artistry. Diet Pepsi is probably the best thing she has released so far. With further review, High Fashion could take that title. The song is a pop earworm. It is sexy, breezy, and totally Addison. This is not TikTok music; it is just pop music. Ever since the release of Diet Pepsi I have made sure to keep my eye out for Rae. I am always in search of the next pop girl, and with the release of High Fashion, I feel I have found a new hidden gem. Read our review of High Fashion below.

High Fashion is like other Addison Rae songs. It’s sexy, niche, and dreamy, but to a new degree. Addison is finally coming into her own. The song is layered with vocal fries, booming synths, and fascinating lyrics. Rae repeats, “I don’t need your drugs. I’d rather get high fashion.” The closest song I can akin the lyrics to is Fashion by Lady Gaga, but more tame. The verses are very ethereal and slower tempoed. It makes the chaotic nature of the chorus shine even more. I find all her songs extremely cohesive, and it is clear that she has found her place in pop. She has a limited vocal range, but her songs only enhance those features. I admire how it seems she understands her limits, respects them, and cleverly makes it work. 

I want to mention the music video really quickly because it is truly iconic. It is a bit perplexing, but it has not left my mind since my first viewing. The video shows two visuals of Addison, one where she is dancing in powdered sugar and one reveling in a closet. Other than telling a story, the video aims to capture the vibe of the song. I would have to say it is my favorite music video of hers to date. She is at her best when it is just Rae in a room alone, radiating her own energy. She does not need the man in Diet Pepsi or the background dancers of Aquamarine. That is a testament to the pop girl’s energy. 

I was not a fan of Addison Rae before 2024. Before then, she had released an awful Netflix movie and a forgettable EP, but I commend Rae for finding her own niche and winning me over. What Rae is doing is exciting, and a common sentiment that I have seen on the internet is that she is paving her own path. We see the inspiration of Madonna, Lady Gaga’s Artpop, but recognize that every single one she has put out since 2024 has felt singular to her. If you have a negative bias for Addison Rae, I suggest you push it aside and listen to these dreamy pop confections. 

High Fashion is the newest single from Addison Rae and dropped on all music platforms on February 14. 

Thank you for reading this review of High Fashion by Addison Rae. For more music reviews, consider checking out our music section.