SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: PIXX – THE AGE OF ANXIETY

Pixx
The Age Of Anxiety
4AD

The “sound of the 80’s” has been creeping its way back into the music industry more and more lately. This synth pop sound is especially noticeable the moment The Age of Anxiety by Hannah Rodgers, known as Pixx, begins to play. With its release in early June, Pixx’s album begins with “I Bow Down” and takes you for a ride through, what sounds like, the past. Using an overload of synthesizer and a mix between monotone (at times) and whispery vocals, Pixx nails a dream-like, Depeche Mode-meets-Dido sound that perfectly suits what The Age of Anxiety is about.

Hannah has stated that her recurring nightmares gave her insomnia at the early age of nine years old. Listening to the lyrics, it is easy to see that, these vivid dreams, played a large role in her writing of this album. With a sometimes eerie sound, and lyrics such as ‘I don’t want to feel the need to grip on tight to everything I see’ (“Grip”) and ‘Don’t follow me into my dreams you don’t belong here and if you try to sneak on in you might be stuck too’ (“Waterslides”), it is plain to see that Hannah, now 21 years old, like many artists, inputs emotion and personal experiences into her lyrics. Hannah touched upon an issue many people from her generation are struggling with. The lyrics are something listeners can relate to, sung to music that leaves you feeling subdued.

The Age of Anxiety by Pixx is an excellent album that grabs you with a consistent sound from start to finish. The sometimes haunting tracks complete each other and have the perfect “summer night drive with the windows down” theme. With the album’s unique sound as a whole, this album feels like it’s from a past generation and displayed Pixx’s talent perfectly.

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