This week, Addison Rae made her major label debut with the release of her new single, “Diet Pepsi.” Once primarily recognized as a TikTok megastar, Rae has spent the past few years rebranding herself from a social media sensation into a bona fide “It Girl.”
Her transformation is underscored by appearances on stage alongside Charli XCX and photoshoots by Tumblr-favorite Petra Collins—significant collaborators in the ongoing resurgence of 2013 internet culture previously championed by icons such as Lana Del Rey, Marina & The Diamonds, and Lorde.
The song delivers exactly what you’d expect: pulsing synths, siren-like pop vocals, and straightforward lyrics about hooking up in the back of a car. But what makes this track compelling isn’t its sonic complexity—or lack thereof—but the context surrounding it.
In many ways, “Diet Pepsi” is a fitting metaphor for Rae’s evolving career. Pepsi, often perceived as the less cool, somewhat disappointing alternative to Coca-Cola, parallels the public perception of Rae as cringeworthy or untalented. With this song, she’s not just attempting to make Diet Pepsi cool; she’s trying to reinvent herself, fully committing to a bolder, more sophisticated aesthetic to prove she’s deserving of It-Girl status.
The problem with creating music that lacks substance—especially when she doesn’t have an exceptional voice or any standout musical qualities—is that its success hinges entirely on maintaining an aesthetic rather than on talent. This places her in a precarious position, where any deviation from the carefully curated image could undermine her entire career, reducing her artistry to a mere accessory of her visual branding. As a result, the whole endeavor risks feeling inauthentic and insincere.
That’s not to say that all music needs to carry a deeper meaning—there’s certainly a demographic that enjoys Pepsi over Coke—but it does place Addison Rae in a different category from other pop stars on the charts, such as Taylor Swift or even Chappell Roan.
Still, there’s something inexplicably great about this song. I have to admit, it’s catchy, and much like Pepsi, it’s not always the first choice, but it definitely hits the spot.
