Indie Light

Addison Grace is an American singer/songwriter and musician who hails from Salt Lake City, Utah. They began posting music to YouTube back in 2017 and steadily grew an audience on that platform, as well as on TikTok. However it wasn’t until 2019 when they came to the attention of Alternative Side Management, who helped Addison to release their debut single ‘Sugar Rush’ that they really skyrocketed in popularity. We’ve had the good fortune to interview the artist and you can click here to check that out. We’ve also covered the artist before on Indie Light and you can click here to read more. Today, though, I’m really excited to share my thoughts on their debut album ‘Diving Lessons’ which was released September 29th 2023.

‘FISH’ opens with ambient noise that feels like we are underwater, that flows into guitars and Addison’s spectacular voice. If you’ve read my reviews linked above, you’ll already know I’m a huge fan of the artist, but seriously Addison grows as a performer with each release, this track especially shows their skill at creating not only technically proficient and engaging music, but one with balance and potency, the slower opening, juxtaposed by the heavier, thrashing second half. The result is a solid and powerful opening track that really sets the stage for what I’m sure will be an excellent debut album. 

‘Pessimistic’ has a softer, more melancholic energy, the light drums however help to add more texture and an undercurrent of energy, and seriously I’ve been complimentary of Addison’s vocals in the past but each new track shows the strength and depth of their voice, and it just blows me away…honestly. This track is really catchy, and to give you a quick look behind the curtain, when reviewing i’ll listen to a release a couple times, usually once while out and about, once actively sitting down to listen to it, and while writing the review, and between listens, this track in particular kept swimming around in my head. 

‘Strawberry’ is deeper and more emotive, soft guitar chords over rich and deep vocals that just immediately capture you and refuse to let go. A truly sensational performance that manages to be so subtly and uniquely complex despite and perhaps even because of the relatively stripped back and simple core melody, instead all of the substance comes from the delivery and the emotion layered throughout. 

‘Bath’ builds slowly, bass eases in, the delicate beat flows into Addison’s vocals, their delivery is soft and whisper quiet, and yet it is loaded with weight and substance, and how can you not just fall in love a little bit with the depth and skill of their singing and performing. I particularly liked that steadily and subtly, the whole song just builds in tone and volume and intensity, you are so wrapped up in the soft performance that it blooms around you. Just perfection. 

‘Say Sorry to My Brother’ has a building tone, and more breathtaking vocals, the depth and range of Addison’s voice is spectacular, and they have an amazing grasp over emotive and gripping delivery, not just sadness, but hopefulness and sincerity, just such an obviously authentic experience that you can’t help engaging with their music. I think my favourite part of this track though were the instrumental undercurrents which occasionally swelled and just added a lot to the overall song. 

‘Ghost in the Attic’ has a subtle electronic build that breaks to be replaced by acoustic guitar and Addison’s trademark dreamy voice. Coming back to the site after a much needed mental health break I’ve been really appreciating my position, and again I have to say how grateful I am to be able to review music such as this, it’s not just a song but an experience. 

‘SLIME!’ has a slow build, a bass infused undercurrent which perfectly supports Addison’s voice, the heavier strings act as a balance to the performance, adding in energy and edge, and then the powerful and heady percussion ties things together. I like this track because it’s different, and it shows a different side to both Addison vocally, but also overall adds to the album because it’s so punchy and powerful, and yet not lost in the frenzy but thriving is Addison, totally in control of the phenomenal cacophony around them. 

‘White Lie’ slows things down again, slightly more energetic tempo than the last couple songs, but nowhere near the frenzy of the previous track. It’s a strong entry, as we close in on the end of the album. It’s certainly not lacking in passion and edge, but also has more of the softness and melancholy that’s present in the other tracks. Overall I’d say it’s a perfect hybrid of both styles present on the album, a fusion of their musical style that really works. I think because of that It takes the top slot for my personal favourite on the album. 

‘Something Better’ the light acoustic guitar is vibrant and creates a sturdy base for the building core melody, energetic and well balanced against Addison’s voice. I like that you can just get lost in Addison’s performance, the highs and lows, and the profoundly bittersweet, they are just such an engaging and talented musician that you cannot help but just dive into the tracks and only surface once they are over. 

‘Forgive You’ is a truly beautiful performance in an album that is positively filled with them. I think it’s one of the tracks I engage with most, there’s messages of longing and needing, but also moving on, and growing from things which hurt us. It’s something I’ve always struggled with and Addison’s ballad truly resonated with me. 

‘I Miss You (r Dog)’ finishes things off strongly, the strings provide a nice audio texture, their warmth and energy really adding to the track, and this song is equal parts lightness and sadness, much like the last track it’s about getting away from someone, but there are always elements that draw you back. Plus who doesn’t love dogs. It’s an incredibly clever, satirical and engaging track that closes out an epic debut album. 

So that’s what I thought of Addison Grace’s album ‘Diving Lessons’ and if you want to check that out for yourself then head on over to Spotify. While you’re at it, make sure and support the artist by following them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, visiting their website and of course checking out their Tik Tok.