Aquamarine (song)

Last updated

"Aquamarine"
Addison Rae - Aquamarine.png
Single by Addison Rae
B-side "Arcamarine" [1]
ReleasedOctober 25, 2024 (2024-10-25)
Genre
Length2:42
Label
Lyricist(s)
Producer(s)
  • Luka Kloser
  • Elvira Anderfjärd
Addison Rae singles chronology
"Diet Pepsi"
(2024)
"Aquamarine"
(2024)
Music video
"Aquamarine" on YouTube

"Aquamarine" is a song by American singer and songwriter Addison Rae. It was released on October 25, 2024, through Columbia Records as the follow-up to Rae's breakthrough single "Diet Pepsi". Just like its predecessor, the song received positive reviews from critics and wider audiences. The electro, synth-pop and dance-pop song with strong Eurodance influences' lyrics speak about self-discovery.

Contents

Background

Rae shared first hints of new music in June 2024 through her social media. While guest appearing at English singers Charli XCX's and Troye Sivan's Sweat Tour (2024) at her Los Angeles show, she posted a video of herself walking underwater again with a snippet to "Aquamarine" in the background, which quickly gained traction online and was also teased in the intro to her "Diet Pepsi" music video. [6] [7] Rae said: "'Diet Pepsi' was always going to be the first thing I dropped, this one only felt right to follow up... I think it's very different, but also in the same universe. And I think that was really essential—that it felt very cohesive and it can exist in the same world." [8] The song is about self-discovery. [9]

Reception

The song received positive reviews from both critics and listeners, who praised the song, calling it "her boldest release yet". [10] Grazia described the song as "enshrining her place" as a musical force to be reckoned with and taken seriously. The song was also compared to the works of Madonna, Kylie Minogue, and Britney Spears. [11] [10] Brittany Spanos of Rolling Stone stated Rae "is on a pop hot streak" with the single's release, calling it "dreamy" and "entrancing", [12] while Billboard's Jason Lipshutz wrote Rae's "pop aesthetic is coming into focus" describing it as "dextracting the breathy flirtations from previous single "Diet Pepsi" and applying them to a sleek, futuristic dance-pop sheen." [13] Gabriel Saulog of Billboard Philippines wrote that the song embraces and breathes new life into its "'90s Eurodance influences –– complete with twinkling synth elements, steady club beats, and Rae's soft yet dreamy vocals that evoke a sensual (if provocative) nature" noting that its reminiscent of Madonna's Ray of Light and "rightfully" solidifies "her status as a rising figure in today's pop landscape." [14] Michael Kearney of Earmilk praised Rae's "refreshing and bold" sound, writing that "Aquamarine" is a "sparkling, dance-driven track that blends sensual, aquatic themes over a sweeping four-on-the-floor beat," comparing its "nostalgic 90s-inspired synths" specifically to Madonna's "Nothing Really Matters" and Spears' "Breathe on Me". [15]

English singer-songwriter Charli XCX praised the song online, calling Rae a "musical genius". [16]

Critics' year-end rankings of "Aquamarine"
PublicationListRankRef.
The Independent The 20 best songs of 202416 [17]
Slant The 50 Best Songs Of 202450 [18]

Music video

On October 23, 2024, Rae released a teaser for the music video on her social media platforms. In the clip, Rae can be seen smoking multiple cigarettes before getting up and walking down a dimly lit street in Paris, France. [19] The official video was then released on October 25, with Sean Price Williams returning as director and Mel Ottenberg as creative director following their previous work with Rae on "Diet Pepsi". It was choreographed by Danielle Polanco and styled by model and stylist Dara Allen. [20] Allen explained: "I feel like it was so much about creating a language for the Aqua character that was about being free in that kind of space. It's sort of like, you're unafraid to make others uncomfortable because you're so comfortable in what you're doing... you take the mask off and you're free." The styling was also inspired by "fashion legends" from the '60s and '70s, such as Jane Birkin and Brigitte Bardot. [8]

Track listing

Arca remix

"Arcamarine"
Arca Addison Rae Aquamarine remix cover.jpg
Remix by Addison Rae and Arca
A-side "Aquamarine" [24]
ReleasedNovember 15, 2024 (2024-11-15)
Genre
Length3:14
Label
Lyricist(s)
Producer(s) Arca
Music video
"Arcamarine" on YouTube

The idea of collaborating with Venezuelan producer Arca came after a 2023 Vogue interview with Rae, saying that she would love to work with her and is a huge fan of her music. [26] Later in early November 2024, Arca teased the remix, titled "Arcamarine", while performing live. The remix, a "slowed-down, reggaeton-inflected song", was officially released on November 15, 2024. [27] [28]

Charts

Chart performance for "Aquamarine"
Chart (2024)Peak
position
Greece International (IFPI) [29] 70
Ireland (IRMA) [30] 47
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) [31] 8
UK Singles (OCC) [32] 45
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 ( Billboard ) [33] 10

Release history

Release history for "Aquamarine"
RegionDateFormatVersionLabelRef.
VariousOctober 25, 2024Original
[34]
November 15, 2024"Arcamarine" [35]
TBA 7" vinyl
  • Original
  • "Arcamarine"
[23]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charli XCX</span> British singer and songwriter (born 1992)

Charlotte Emma Aitchison, known professionally as Charli XCX, is an English singer and songwriter. Born in Cambridge and raised in Start Hill, Essex, Charli XCX began posting songs on Myspace in 2008 before entering the London rave scene. She signed a recording contract with Asylum Records in 2010, releasing a series of singles and mixtapes throughout 2011 and 2012. She later featured on "I Love It" with Swedish duo Icona Pop, with the song becoming her first number-one in the UK and receiving global success. Her debut studio album, True Romance (2013), was released to positive reviews but failed to meet commercial expectations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charli XCX discography</span>

English singer Charli XCX has released six studio albums, five mixtapes, three extended plays, one live album, one soundtrack album, one remix album, two DJ mixes, 48 singles, and 13 promotional singles. In 2007, XCX began recording her debut album on a loan granted by her parents. Titled 14, after her age at the time, it received only a restricted public release. Two singles, "!Franchesckaar!" and double A-side "Emelline" / "Art Bitch", were released in late 2008 under Orgy Music. In June 2012, Charli XCX released her first mixtape, titled Heartbreaks and Earthquakes, a one-track file consisting of eight songs. A second mixtape, titled Super Ultra, was released in November of the same year. Charli XCX's major-label debut studio album, True Romance, was released in April 2013, and peaked at number 85 on the UK Albums Chart. While failing to appear on any main album charts internationally, the album reached number five on the Heatseekers Albums chart in the United States and number 11 on the ARIA Hitseekers chart in Australia. The album spawned five singles—"Stay Away", "Nuclear Seasons", "You're the One", "You " and "What I Like". In 2012, Charli XCX was featured on Icona Pop's song "I Love It", which peaked at number one in the UK and reached the top 10 in various countries including the US, Canada, Ireland and Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A. G. Cook</span> British music producer (born 1990)

Alexander Guy Cook is an English music producer and the head of the now-closed UK record label PC Music. Cook released his first solo singles in 2014. He has also collaborated with PC Music artists such as Hannah Diamond, GFOTY, Finn Keane, Danny L Harle and Felicita. He formed the one-off project QT with musician Sophie and performance artist Hayden Dunham, producing the 2014 single "Hey QT".

Venezuelan electronic music producer Arca has released ten studio albums, one remix album, two mixtapes, one compilation album, five DJ mixes, one box set, five extended plays (EPs), twenty-nine singles, twenty-three music videos, and ten remixes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1999 (Charli XCX and Troye Sivan song)</span> 2018 single by Charli XCX and Troye Sivan

"1999" is a song by English singer Charli XCX and Australian singer Troye Sivan, released as the lead single from the former's third studio album Charli on 5 October 2018. The single cover was inspired by the 1999 film The Matrix. It follows several singles released earlier in 2018 by Charli XCX and Sivan's 2018 album Bloom. The track reached number 13 on the UK Singles Chart dated 22 November 2018, becoming Charli XCX's tenth top 40 single and first top 15 single since 2015, as well as Sivan's fourth top 40 single and his first top 20 single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blame It on Your Love</span> 2019 single by Charli XCX featuring Lizzo

"Blame It on Your Love" is a song by English singer Charli XCX featuring American singer and rapper Lizzo. It was released on 15 May 2019 as the second single from Charli XCX's third studio album, Charli, and soon after debuted on BBC Radio 1 as Annie Mac's "Hottest Record in the World". It is Charli XCX's first single since her 2018 collaboration with Troye Sivan, "1999". The single is a reworked version of "Track 10", the final track from Charli XCX's mixtape Pop 2 (2017). The music video was released on 13 June 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Addison Rae</span> American singer, songwriter and actress (born 2000)

Addison Rae Easterling is an American social media personality, singer, actress, and dancer. Rae rose to fame on TikTok and amassed over 88 million followers, making her the fifth most-followed individual on the platform. She later transitioned into different ventures like music and acting by starring in major film studio productions, collaborating with significant music producers, and having her own makeup brand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Good Ones</span> 2021 single by Charli XCX

"Good Ones" is a song by English singer Charli XCX, released as the lead single from her fifth studio album, Crash (2022). The song was released on 2 September 2021. It is a synthwave, electropop, dance, and synth-pop song that discusses the singer's incapacity to maintain healthy relationships, instead being drawn inexorably back to the dysfunctional and destructive. It received critical acclaim from critics who praised its production and Charli's vocal performance, while also lamenting its short run-time.

<i>Dawn of Chromatica</i> 2021 remix album by Lady Gaga

Dawn of Chromatica is the third remix album by American singer Lady Gaga, released on September 3, 2021, by Streamline and Interscope Records. Consisting of remixes of songs from Gaga's sixth studio album, Chromatica (2020), the album embraces an underground, hyperpop production and features collaborations with numerous pop, electronic and Brazilian musicians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beg for You</span> 2022 single by Charli XCX featuring Rina Sawayama

"Beg for You" is a song by English singer Charli XCX featuring Japanese singer Rina Sawayama. It was released on 27 January 2022 as the third single from XCX's fifth studio album, Crash (2022). The song interpolates Swedish singer September's 2006 single "Cry for You". The song received widepsread acclaim from music critics. It peaked at number 3 in Malta and number 24 in the UK.

"Apple" is a song by English singer Charli XCX. It was produced by A. G. Cook and written by Charli XCX and released on 7 June 2024 from her sixth studio album Brat through Atlantic Records. It went viral on TikTok shortly afterwards, spawning a dance craze on the platform. The song was released to Italian radio through Warner Records on 2 August 2024 as the third single from the album. "Apple" earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Solo Performance at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards.

<i>AR</i> (EP) 2023 EP by Addison Rae

AR is the debut extended play by American social media personality and singer Addison Rae. It was released on August 18, 2023, through Sandlot Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Von Dutch (song)</span> 2024 single by Charli XCX

"Von Dutch" is a song by English singer Charli XCX. It was released on 29 February 2024 through Atlantic Records. Written by Charli alongside its producer Finn Keane, the track serves as the lead single from her sixth studio album, Brat. The song and its remix version received a Grammy nomination for Best Dance Pop Recording and Best Remixed Recording, respectively.

<i>Brat</i> (album) 2024 studio album by Charli XCX

Brat is the sixth studio album by English singer Charli XCX, released through Atlantic Records on 7 June 2024. It features production by Charli XCX, her longtime executive producer A. G. Cook, Finn Keane, Cirkut, her partner George Daniel, and others. The album draws influence from the 2000s English rave music scene, with a more aggressive club sound than her previous album, Crash (2022).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Talk Talk (Charli XCX song)</span> 2024 song by Charli XCX

"Talk Talk" is a song by English singer Charli XCX. It was first released on 7 June 2024 as the fifth track on her sixth studio album Brat and was written about her fiancé George Daniel. A revamped Balearic house inspired remix of the Eurodance song featuring Australian singer-songwriter Troye Sivan and uncredited spoken word from Dua Lipa was released on 12 September 2024 as a single from Brat and It's Completely Different but Also Still Brat and the third collaboration between Charli XCX and Sivan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">360 (song)</span> 2024 single by Charli XCX

"360" is a song by English singer Charli XCX. It was released on 10 May 2024 through Atlantic Records as the second single from her sixth studio album, Brat, wherein it was included as the opening track. Featuring minimalistic electropop and hyperpop production by A. G. Cook and Cirkut and deadpan singing by Charli XCX, its boastful, tongue-in-cheek lyrics make references to her musical career, her reverence in the music industry, and her friends Julia Fox and Gabbriette. Its Aidan Zamiri-directed music video stars an ensemble cast of online "it girl" influencers, models, and actresses, including Fox, Gabbriette, Rachel Sennott, and Chloë Sevigny, and begins with a skit in which they meet at dinner to find a "new hot Internet girl".

"2 Die 4" is a song by American singer-songwriter Addison Rae from Rae's debut extended play AR. It became available as the EP's second track on August 18, 2023, through Sandlot Records. Despite not being released as a single, it peaked at number 67 on the Irish chart and number 13 on the New Zealand Hot Singles chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guess (song)</span> 2024 song by Charli XCX

"Guess" is a song by British singer Charli XCX taken from Brat and It's the Same but There's Three More Songs So It's Not, the deluxe edition of her sixth studio album, Brat (2024). A remix version featuring American singer Billie Eilish was released on 1 August 2024 as a single from Brat and It's Completely Different but Also Still Brat, the remix album of Brat. The song interpolates the Daft Punk song "Technologic". Released alongside a music video from which 10,000 pairs of underwear were donated to I Support the Girls, the remix marked the first studio collaboration by Eilish in several years and was the fourth remix from Brat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diet Pepsi (song)</span> 2024 single by Addison Rae

"Diet Pepsi" is a song by American singer and songwriter Addison Rae. It was released on August 9, 2024, through Columbia Records, as her major label debut single, marking also her first single release in three years since "Obsessed" (2021). "Diet Pepsi" received positive reviews unlike the former, and charted in several countries worldwide. The pop and synth-pop song with a prominent alternative pop sound is about "the immortal feeling of being young and in love."

"Sympathy Is a Knife" is a song by English singer Charli XCX. It was released on 7 June 2024 through Atlantic Records as the third track from her sixth studio album, Brat. Written and produced by Charli XCX herself and long-time collaborator Finn Keane, better known as Easyfun, the former bares her thoughts on a woman that evokes feelings of "doubt and insecurity" in herself on the song. It was seen as a representation of one of the central themes of its parent album, as it deals with the singer's "complicated emotions about other women".

References

  1. "Addison Rae Official Store". Addison Rae Official Store. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  2. Calfee, Joel (October 25, 2024). "How Addison Rae Crafted a High Fashion Fever Dream for the 'Aquamarine' Music Video". Harper's Bazaar . Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  3. Lipshutz, Jason (October 25, 2024). "Friday Music Guide: New Music From Lady Gaga, Halsey, Megan Thee Stallion and More". Billboard . Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  4. Smith, Carl (October 24, 2024). "New Music Friday Releases: Lady Gaga, Addison Rae, Bastille and more". Official Charts . Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  5. Jones, Abby (June 16, 2024). "Watch Charli XCX Bring Out Addison Rae For 'Von Dutch' Remix In LA". Stereogum . Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  6. "We Can Already Tell Addison Rae's New Song Is Going To Be A Banger". Nylon. June 17, 2024. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  7. "Charli XCX Brings Out Addison Rae For 'Von Dutch' Remix In LA". Stereogum. June 16, 2024. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  8. 1 2 Calfee, Joel (October 25, 2024). "How Addison Rae Crafted a High Fashion Fever Dream for the "Aquamarine" Music Video". Harper's Bazaar . Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  9. Kickham, Dylan (October 25, 2024). "Addison Rae's "Aquamarine" Lyrics, Explained". Nylon . Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  10. 1 2 Staff, Notion (October 25, 2024). "NOTION NOW #218: Tyler, The Creator, Addison Rae & Lady Gaga". Notion. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  11. "Addison Rae Unleashes Her Siren Call With "Aquamarine"". Grazia. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  12. Spanos, Brittany (October 25, 2024). "The World Is Addison Rae's Oyster on 'Aquamarine'". Rolling Stone . Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  13. Lipshutz, Jason (October 25, 2024). "Friday Music Guide: New Music From Lady Gaga, Halsey, Megan Thee Stallion and More". Billboard . Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  14. Saulog, Gabriel (October 22, 2024). "Addison Rae Drops Dreamy New Single "Aquamarine" – Listen". Billboard Philippines . Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  15. Kearney, Michael (October 28, 2024). "How "Aquamarine" realigns Addison Rae's path to pop stardom". Earmilk. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  16. Kylene, Jazmin (October 25, 2024). "Addison Rae Being Hailed a 'Musical Genius' for New Single 'Aquamarine'". Music Times. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  17. "The 20 best songs of 2024, ranked". The Independent . November 18, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  18. "The 50 Best Songs of 2024". Slant . December 11, 2024. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
  19. Reichard, Ryan (October 23, 2024). "Addison Rae Crowned the New 'Queen of Pop' as Anticipation Soars for 'Aquamarine' Single Drop". Music Times. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  20. "Addison Rae Releases Highly Antcipated Single 'Aquamarine' With Dazzling Music Video". Sony Music Canada. October 25, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  21. "Aquamarine - Single by Addison Rae on Apple Music". Apple Music . US: Apple Inc. October 25, 2024.
  22. "Aquamarine / Arcamarine - Single by Addison Rae & Arca on Apple Music". Apple Music . US: Apple Inc. November 15, 2024.
  23. 1 2 "Aquamarine 7" Limited Edition Vinyl - Addison Rae Official Store". Addisonrae.com. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  24. "Addison Rae Official Store". Addison Rae Official Store. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  25. "Arca and Addison Rae Confirm Release Date for the Highly Anticipated "Aquamarine" Remix". Them. November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  26. Hess, Liam (August 21, 2023). "'I Think I'm Just a Curious Person': Addison Rae on Her Quest for Pop Perfection". Vogue. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  27. "Addison Rae Announces "Aquamarine" Remix Featuring Arca". Nylon. November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  28. Green, Walden (November 15, 2024). "Arca Remixes Addison Rae's "Aquamarine": Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  29. "Official IFPI Charts − Digital Singles Chart (International) − Εβδομάδα: 41/2024" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on November 6, 2024. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  30. "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  31. "Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. November 1, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  32. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  33. "Bubbling Under Hot 100 Chart: November 9, 2024". Billboard . Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  34. "Addison Rae - Aquamarine - Pre-Add/Pre-Save". Sony Music Fans. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  35. "Addison Rae Announces "Aquamarine" Remix Featuring Arca". Nylon . November 13, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2024.