Melissa Kacar

Addison Rae 's self-titled debut album is a refreshingly sincere and euphoric burst of pop, glittering with personality and unshakable self-belief. She brings a radiant dose of positivity with her music, which not only shines throughout this entire album, but also reflects in her public persona as well. She is the girl she says she is, which makes even the campiest, tongue-in-cheek lyrics feel rooted in something genuine. Addison fills a space in pop that's been missing: something playful, glitzy, and heartfelt all at once. "It's a journey, the music is very introspective," Addison said in an interview with Elle. She added that it is "...kind of a look in the mirror at myself and I think a very optimistic approach at the hard times in life." Despite her uniquely unconventional rise as one of the earliest breakout TikTok stars, Addison has managed to carve out a new lane for herself, one that far surpasses her social media beginnings. She has been build...

The closing track of Addison Rae 's self-titled debut album , "Headphones On" perfectly encapsulates the emotional arc of the entire project.  "Guess I gotta accept the pain, need a cigarette to make me feel better, every good thing comes my way, so I still get dolled up" she sings in the opening verse and chorus. It provokes a bittersweet sense of optimism, in a way that embraces the broken and the beautiful parts of who we are equally.  The sadness, the insecurities, the pressure, the ache for something more is all laid bare. Above all though, "Headphones On" is a reminder to embrace every high and low, learning to dance in the rain and keep persisting even when it feels hard to. "Every good thing comes my way" feels like such an important mantra to carry throughout life, to hold onto the belief that something better is just around the corner. This song is Addison at her most reflective, grounding the album in the one thing that's bee...

"Fame Is A Gun" is so addictive and dramatic in all the best ways. It stands out as one of the biggest highlights on Addison Rae 's self‑titled debut , which is already packed with instant pop classics. There's something very Warholian about this song, both in the production and the performance. It taps into that idea of image as art and the public gaze as the most valuable currency. Throughout the album, Addison reflects on her complicated relationship with fame and being a persona online, fully wanting to make the most of her 15 minutes, so to speak. But here, she fully inhabits the role of the ultra-confident star that is empowered by the attention, regardless of it being positive or negative. "Fame Is A Gun" blurs the lines between reality and aesthetic in a way that's really smart. "Fame is a gun and I point it blind, crash and burn, girl, baby, swallow it dry, you got a front row seat and I got a taste of the glamorous life" she sings in...

2025 was yet another incredible year for new music! I narrowed it down to 30 of my favorite albums, spanning a wide range of artists and genres. Many of them are first‑time additions to my annual year‑end favorites list, which feels like a testament to how much I prioritized discovering and supporting new artists this year. Of course, there are some long‑time favorites sprinkled throughout, as well. Ultimately, this list reflects a little bit of everything I loved this year! This is always my favorite post to write and curate each year. It is loosely ranked, but every single one of these albums was truly the soundtrack of my year for one reason or another. I have covered many of them in depth too, so if you are interested in reading more about any of these, be sure to check out the links throughout the post and at the end. Enjoy! 💓 The Crux by Djo At its core, The Crux by Djo is a heartfelt ode to the people that have shaped him, along with his family and friends that have suppor...