With her string of artsy, showstopping singles, it’s hard to believe Addison Rae was ever just a TikTok star. Her music taste has always been deeper than it appears (perhaps something more esoteric was going on behind her many “I love music” tweets), and her debut run has involved or referenced Madonna, Arca, and now with the trippy, calm “Headphones On”, Björk.

Though her lyricism remains on the simpler side, “Headphones On” is probably her clearest viewpoint; manifestation and affirmations as a lifestyle. “I know the lows are what make the highs higher,” she sings, like something out of a reframing workbook, “Life’s no fun through clear waters.” It’s surprisingly striking (and real) for someone previously relegated to backseat fun.

“Headphones On” shares quite a lot of DNA with Björk, first sharing a name with 1995’s “Headphones”, also about burrowing into music. But its sweeping strings and music video locale — Iceland — are pure “Jóga”, Björk’s volcanic tribute to difficult friendship. But unlike the emotional heaviness of “Jóga”, Rae takes adversity in stride. “Guess I gotta accept the pain,” she sings as an affecting bell toll begins each chorus, about something as turbulent as her parents’ relationship or as (seemingly) frivolous as a new it girl. “You just have to surrender to the moment,” she reasons, which is quite a mature viewpoint to have.

If anything, “Headphones On” and “Aquamarine” are on the transparent side, imitating their inspirations too acutely. Mixed in with the futurepop of “Diet Pepsi” and “High Fashion”, it seems like she’s straddling two worlds. Emulating 90s artsy trip hop or vocal trance is certainly welcome, just a little out of focus; the references serve more to say what Rae likes rather than who she is. And though her production team (Luka Kloser and ELVIRA) do most of the heavy lifting, Rae feels more at home with each new release, padding her discography with an abundance of references. They’re creating a world for her; it’s up to us to put the headphones on.

9/10

Track review by Sam Franzini

order “Headphones On” HERE