Allie X. The Canadian artist is fast becoming a rising star in the music scene after receiving several tweets from famous Twitter users praising her music, most notably music artist Katy Perry and YouTube personality Tyler Oakley. But it's her new EP CollXtion that we're here to talk about today. You can check out our track-by-track review below:
Starting off with track no.1 is the rather unsettling 'Hello'. Overall, it sounds a little too
candy-coated and uses the type of repetition that will likely become grating
after a while. In general it’s not a positive or convincing start, and sounds
awfully similar to a multitude of other songs, echoing a twinge of Carly Rae
Jepsen (except without possessing the latter’s catchy song-writing). ‘Catch’ is up next, and is a definite step-up from the lacklustre 'Hello'. This one is infectious and it has some fantastic twilight beats that subtly mask the
darker lyrics upon first listening. It's the classic contrast between bubbly
rhythms and more sinister lyrical content. The breathy vocals that are particularly
engaging, especially on the chorus: “Thought
you got away with murder/ Left me at a loss for the words/ Just wait until I
catch my breath”. Allie X will certainly leave you gasping for more than
air with this catchy, atmospheric song.
Track 3's ‘Prime’ is equally as impressive, as a fast paced, confident addition which breaks between each verse give the track the edge that it needs to
become unique. Whilst the last 3 lines of the chorus (“Forget what I need/ Give me what I want/ And it should be fine”)
are nothing spectacular lyrically, combined with Allie X’s engaging, enigmatic vocals
and the solid beat it becomes particular ingenious. ‘Tumor’ benefits from dreamy vocals that soar almost to their full
potential, but not in the kind of captivating ways on the memorable ‘Catch’ or ‘Prime’,
but it is still an exciting effort.
In case you were in any doubt that CollXtion would suffer the fate of most albums and EP's by peaking too earlier, the next track, ‘Bitch’, shows that Allie X is back on top form. The song draws you in with its
intriguing instrumentals and vocals that mimic shouting, which is not dissimilar in
style to Charli XCX. The track shows the range of styles of the singer, who can
create mysterious music and make it catchy enough for varying audiences who
perhaps want a bit more than standard pop fare. The deeply nostalgic ‘Good’ has a solid production, with a distinctly hazy summer aura (perfect in time for the changing season) but also posses a vibrant heart lovingly crafted by Allie X that is at the centre of the song. You can’t
help but feel these songs encompass a ‘collxction’ of what she is all about,
exploring different styles as well as familiar themes, like “medicine, psychology,
and the macabre”.
Drawing CollXtion
to a close with a very 80s ‘belter’, is the glorious ‘Sanctuary’. Allie X brings her
A-game for this energetic song and flexes her heavenly pipes to execute a
triumphant ending for the EP. The song details how Allie has found solace in
someone else and they provide comfort from the outside: “there’s a place I know/ I can always go/ to my sanctuary, baby”. It’s
certainly apt that Allie X should finish on a high note considering the odd
start despite the strength of CollXtion,
and she hasn’t disappointed by providing an easy-listening - but not
mind-numbing – pop EP that everyone can enjoy.
No comments:
Post a Comment