"Diet Pepsi" is a song by American singer 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).[4] "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."[5]
"Diet Pepsi" emerged as Rae's early breakthrough, peaking at number 54 on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside of the United States, "Diet Pepsi" peaked within the top ten of the charts in Ireland, Singapore, and the United Kingdom, and peaked within the top 20 of the charts in Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines.[6] Critics praised Rae's vocal performance and use of modulation, and compared the song favorably to the early work of Lana Del Rey. "Diet Pepsi" appeared on numerous critics' and music publications' rankings of the best songs of 2024.
Background
Columbia Records CEO Ron Perry, whom Rae knew through her boyfriend Omer Fedi, set up a meeting with her following the release of her debut extended play (EP) AR (2023). Rae presented her ideas, impressing Perry who signed her in late 2023. In February 2024, Rae met songwriters Luka Kloser and Elvira Anderfjärd in Los Angeles. The trio listened to music all day, but weren't getting far with their ideas. As the session neared its end, Kloser started playing the piano and all three started humming the melody that would become the chorus of "Diet Pepsi".[7]
Rae shared first hints of new music in June 2024 through her social media. The singer got more specific in early August 2024 by posting snippets and lyrics of the song.[8] On August 5, she revealed the release date and title for her debut single with Columbia.[9] The song was originally supposed to be titled "Backseat" before she played it for Charli XCX who told her, "Why isn't the song called 'Diet Pepsi'?"[10][11]
Reception
The song received positive reviews from both critics and listeners, who praised Rae for her successful shift from her previous bubblegum pop lyrics and sonic direction to a more mature alternative pop sound.[12][13]Billboard described the song as a "turning point" in Rae's artistic journey as it creates more of a clear vision on who Rae is as an artist, opposed to previous projects,[1][12] while Rolling Stone's Brittany Spanos described "this new Rae [as] strange, campy, and, most important, fun" and "as if she'd taken a John Waters left turn".[7]The New York Times called the song "the aural embodiment of tasteful restraint",[14] and several critics praised Rae's "breathy" vocals and the key change employed in the song's final chorus.[15][16][17][18] Some drew positive comparisons to the music of Lana Del Rey, particularly her 2012 single "Blue Jeans" and its parent album Born to Die (2012).[19][17][1][13][18][7] It polled at number 11 in the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2024.[20]
The song peaked at number 54 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was her first song to debut on the chart.[32] The song also became a viral sound on TikTok.[32]
In the United Kingdom, "Diet Pepsi" peaked at number ten on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Rae's first top ten hit in Britain.[33]
Music video
The official music video was released alongside the song on August 9, 2024, and was directed by Sean Price Williams. The video opens with Rae teasing her next single "Aquamarine" and continues with her having fun in a car in her bra and underwear, alongside her male love interest portrayed by Drew Van Acker. Much of the video pays homage to the 1965 cult classic Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!, including the video's title card, Rae's dancing, and filming in black and white. Rae named Bruce Conner's 1966 experimental film Breakaway as another reference for the video.[34]Mel Ottenberg served as the video's creative director.[35]
