The "Soulful" EDM Anthem
Released on Avicii's debut album True, "Addicted to You" stands out for its stripped-back, retro-soul verses before hitting the signature EDM drop. The vocals, provided by American folk-rock singer Audra Mae, are raw, gritty, and demand significant power.
Unlike many electronic tracks that rely on airy soprano vocals, this song sits firmly in a chest-dominant Mezzo-Soprano/Contralto range. It requires the attitude of rock and the breath control of soul. Let's break down exactly how to tackle it.
AI Coach Tip: Vowel Modification
On the sustained "Addicted to YOU," singing a closed "Oo" vowel can tighten the throat. Try modifying it to a slightly more open "Eu" or "Uh" shape to maintain volume without strain.
Phase 1: The Verses (0:00 - 0:45)
The song begins in C Minor with a simple guitar accompaniment. The range here is comfortable (G3-C4), but the challenge is texture. Audra Mae uses a "creaky" onset and a heavy chest resonance to tell the story.
The Trap: Do not sing this too cleanly. If you sing it like a choir boy/girl, it loses the emotional weight. Allow for some natural vocal fry at the ends of phrases like "I don't know just how it happened."
Phase 2: The Pre-Chorus Build (0:45 - 1:00)
As the lyrics move to "Guess I should have known better," the melody ascends. You need to increase your breath pressure here. The line "But I'm coming back for more" is the launchpad for the chorus.
- Breath Support: Take a deep, low breath before "But I'm coming back..." because you won't have much time to breathe before the drop.
- Placement: Shift the resonance forward into the "mask" (face) to ensure the sound cuts through the building instrumentation.
Phase 3: The Chorus Belt (1:00 - 1:15)
This is the centerpiece of the song. The line "I'm addicted to you" features a powerful belt that sustains. The highest note hits around E♭5 in the ad-libs, but the core power sits in the fourth octave.
To achieve the "grit" without hurting your vocal cords, engage your abdominal muscles deeply (anchoring) and keep your neck relaxed. The power must come from the body, not the throat.
Frequently Asked Questions
The vocals are performed by Audra Mae, a singer-songwriter and the great-great-niece of Judy Garland. She brings a unique folk-rock timbre to the track.
Rasp should be a stylistic choice, not a result of damage. Use "vocal fry" at low volumes to practice the texture, or practice the "twang" exercise in the Singing Coach AI app to get the brightness without the squeeze.
Yes, but you may need to mix more head voice into the lower verses to ensure you can still be heard. Alternatively, use the app to transpose the key up +2 semitones.
