Ava Hicks

Addison Rae has been a Gen-Z household name for years. From her popular TikToks to her infamous Netflix movie He’s All That, and now with her burgeoning pop-music career, Rae has seemingly found her port of call.

Her discography has thus far been impressive. While her first EP, AR, went under the radar for the most part, her collab on Von Dutch by Charli XCX thrust her onto the scene as a serious musician. Followed by Diet Pepsi, the sensual pop track that everyone couldn’t help but love, and Aquamarine, which solidified her sound.

Rae has now released the third single, High Fashion, for her upcoming debut album, which pop girls are sure to love.

Teasing the track with visuals from the music video and the catchy chorus lyrics, Rae promised the same controversial and high-octane lyrics she has become known for.

High Fashion does not disappoint

High Fashion has a memorable sound and hook, and the low-key beat makes the lyrics stand out even more – its simplicity is perhaps its biggest strength.

“Have you ever dreamt of being seen? Not by someone, more like in a magazine”

The opening lines set the tone for what this song is about at its core – desire and clothes. If you go on TikTok today, you might find a myriad of OOTD or outfit inspo videos.

Fashion, while subjective, goes through so many trend cycles so fast, and Rae’s lyrics speak to this Gen Z culture of caring more about style over drugs, sex, or money.

It’s a relatable track. Everyone desires to look good, to get compliments, and at the moment, designer fashion is making a comeback.

The Fall of Fast Fashion

Image courtesy of Duane Mendes on Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image licence found here.

Over the past decade, social media has contributed to and sparked a protest against all things fast fashion.

The moral grounds on which these companies stand have been crumbling, and the growing trend has been to source our clothes responsibly. 

With this shift towards eco-friendly shopping, high fashion has returned to mainstream social media, with high fashion brands making smaller quantities but high-quality products, more likely to be ethically sourced than fast fashion outlets.

“…But when it comes to shoes, I’ll be a slut.”

High Fashion by Rae speaks to the consumer culture of Gen Z by reclaiming our right to want nice clothes and shoes. Instead of poking fun at the materialistic culture we live in, Rae’s lyrics speak for those of us who love it.

While some of the lyrics of High Fashion seem out of pocket, and perhaps they don’t all tell a cohesive story, I feel that it adds to the intended feeling of being drunk that the song is supposed to emanate. Rae sets the scene of a party girl, being offered drugs and sex, but all she desires is ‘high fashion’.

It is a repetitive song with small verses, but it makes the impact that Addison Rae’s pop career demands. It is controversial, raunchy, and catchy.

The Visuals

Addison Rae has fully rebranded herself from the TikTok star she was in 2020, and thi music video is proof.

Feeding into the sexual undertones of the lyrics, Rae can be seen rolling around in glamorous, sexy clothes.

The visuals also feature heavy drug iconography and analogy, making it clear that high fashion makes Rae feel high. Her desire to look good, to wear these clothes, is a sensual feeling that she cannot control.

Addison Rae’s latest single in this era is a hit. She has found her sound, and the pop girlies will thank her for years to come.

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Featured image courtesy of TheOfficialPandora on Wikimedia Commons. No changes were made to this image. Image licence found here.

I am currently a third year undergraduate history student in Cardiff. My passion for journalism came from contributing to my university publications and now I wish to pursue is as my career. My interests lie in entertainment, lifestyle, and current affairs.

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