Pixie Geldof - Sweet Thing
Info: Pixie Geldof's debut album, 'I'm Yours', is a spectral, luscious, spectacular dream-pop revelation, a glistening sonic flow of melancholy beauty and undertow depths, of woozy wanderlust and powerfully exorcised pain. Beguiling, orchestral and ecstatic, it's also bursting with anthemic joy.
"'I'm Yours' represents every single human I've ever loved in my life" she explains. "Songs of love in every form, platonically, family, in romance. I'm a part of these people's lives and I'm theirs in any capacity they need me.”
'I'm Yours' is a testament, in fact, to how much we don't know about Pixie Geldof.
The first thing you notice about Pixie Geldof's debut album, I'm Yours, is how it is steeped in older rock and folk, but also feels like a modern alternative dream-pop classic. Lead single and opener 'Sweet Thing' sucks you in straight away, there's strands of Fleetwood Mac's 'The Chain', and Dylan's 'What Was It You Wanted' both musically and vocally, as well as the haunting yet warm ambience of peers First Aid Kit. Title track 'I'm Yours' glides so smoothly, shimmering guitars and echoed bass provide the backdrop to Geldof's other-worldly vocals as she touches on the platonic love mentioned above, unequivocal dedication tempered by hand in hand pain.
Pixie Geldof - Woman Go Wild
Third track 'So Strong' sees a mix of vocal jazz and sleepy pop, reference points can go fairly far back, but in a modern sense we very lightly touch on a melding of Amy Winehouse and Lana Del Rey on this Bondian number. The artist seems right at home on the wonderful 'Woman Go Wild', vocally so soothing, the song is a triumph, like an 80's classic pop song that no one ever heard until now, unsurprisingly the production is rock solid, is there also a grand solo Lennon arrow arching through the last minute?
On 'Twin Thing' there's subtle experimentation with sounds, it's Beach House meets early Band of Horses, but again could easily be a late 60's / early 70's folk-rock track, at this point of the album you also start to become aware that Geldof has been slowly pulling you into a state of calm escapism since the very beginning. 'Escape Route' has a swaggering and dirty blues aura, whilst at the same time being borderline operatic, this is the type of song that would stop anyone in their tracks, and the one I found most interesting and rewarding across the whole album, the little touches, like the trembling hammond, magic.
Pixie Geldof - Escape Route
As the title suggests, 'Poison Apple' is a reflection of one of those relationships that meant a lot, but ultimately reached a bittersweet conclusion. It's also a very strong exhibit of her vocal reach, which sounds well honed, and the ease in which she can flip into a strong pop vocal performance as required. Again I can't escape the welcome shadow of John Lennon on 'Wild Things Grow', where he moved from the raw and angry song-writing on Plastic Ono Band to the more grandiose arrangements on Imagine. Geldof truly let's her sound breathe here, and gives it plenty of space across it's just over 5 minutes duration, another strong highlight to draw the curtain down with.
The reason I've pointed out so many landmarks across I'm Yours is because after only two listens to the album, you're left with the feeling that, not only has Pixie Geldof documented her life experiences and the relationships she has had, but she has also kept a diary on this album of the classic and modern influences she grew up with from a small age, right through to the present day. Both sit comfortably side by side, and are matched with what appears to be effortless precision, which is exactly why I feel I'm Yours is both unique on it's own two feet, but will appeal to a far greater audience (and demographic) than perhaps it was intended to originally.
I'm Yours will be released on the 4th of November, and you can pre-order it on Spotify, iTunes, Google Play and Deezer here https://lnk.to/PixieGeldofImYours
