Pixey – ‘Million Dollar Baby’ album review: Liverpool’s best-kept secret delivers ethereal indie-pop treats
THE SKINNY: “Maybe I’m just a dreamer, make my mind a machine,” Pixey – the fittingly dainty stage name for the ethereal Elizabeth Sinead Hillesdon – sings on the closing track to Million Dollar Baby. While this might be skipping ahead, ‘The War In My Mind’ follows an exciting whirlwind of light indie-pop treats and showcases why Hillesdon deserves to break free from being a Liverpudlian secret.
Million Dollar Baby, Hillesdon’s sweet yet assured debut, feels less like a slow burn but in a gathering graceful manner. The singer’s Ellie Rowsell-esque featherlight vocals depict an artist free from the shackles of expectation, fully immersed in her own artistic vision, ready to present her creation to the world in all its glorious messiness, without forcing in on her audience.
Following her popular series of EPs, including Colours, Free to Live In Colour and Sunshine State, this full-length release reinstates Hillesdon’s unique world of urgency, not where half-attempts at greatness reside but where hesitation has no place in the face of crystal clear focus. “If you don’t do it now, you’re never going to do it,” the singer once said, the reflection of her past challenges influencing her almost palpable sonic atmosphere.
All of this and much more amounts to one stark consistency throughout the beauty that is Million Dollar Baby: the fact that we are all here and reaching to validate each and every complex emotion, experience, and circumstance. Just as Hillesdon relinquished complete control when it came to deliberation or any other type of restrictive hindrance, this record invites the same—pure, raw honesty.
For fans of: ‘Don’t Delete The Kisses’ and oversized shirts.
A concluding comment from a fan of 1990s pop fans: “Finally, the revival the world needs.”
Million Dollar Baby track by track:
Release date: August 2nd | Producer: Pixey | Label: Chess Club Records
‘Man Power’: This slightly punk-leaning track immediately fills you up, its retro-sounding intro setting the scene for something—and someone—not to be messed with. This might be Pixey’s debut album, but this song feels executed like a seasoned professional. [3/5]
‘Million Dollar Baby’: As expected, Pixey wastes no time presenting her signature magical and ethereal position, the title track revels in all its synth-pop glory, tackling the idea of those who sacrifice everything they have for a shot at success. [4/5]
‘The Thrill of It’: You might be mistaken for a fool if you listen to ‘The Thrill of It’ and think it’s just another of Pixey’s lighthearted bedroom pop delights. It incorporates those elements, of course, but it also taps into something darker, more existential. “It’s a commentary on my sickness and how I was so jealous of everyone going out and using their bodies the way they wanted to. I couldn’t do that,” the singer explained. These delicate sprinkling of realism and musical synthetics paint the perfect picture of dreaming. [4/5]
‘Best Friend’: Again, this song proves Pixey’s ability to blend sugary, catchy pop elements with another very real aspect of existence—romanticism and infatuation. Often, those two coincide, and it can be both beautiful and all-consuming. [4/5]
‘Damage’: Reinvention might be one of the most defining qualities when looking at Million Dollar Baby through a more macro lens. This artist has faced self-invention time and time again, and this song looks at how she navigates the challenge with utmost dignity and grace. [3.5/5]
‘Give A Little of Your Love’: Another sweet, messy, glorious, endearing, and relatable story lies at the crux of ‘Give A Little of Your Love’. “Tell me baby what’s your sign,” Pixey sings, “Quick before I change my mind.” Girlie indie-pop never hit so good. [3.5/5]
‘Love Like Heaven’: As a music lover, one of the most hard-hitting concepts a musician can channel is that unexplainable gorgeous moment of the day when the sun sets and everything feels calm. ‘Love Like Heaven’ captures the feeling of craving one perfect moment in a city you love with someone you crave. As Pixey put it: “It’s about being in that city as the sun is setting near the docks, hoping to see someone in particular.” [4/5]
‘Bring Back the Beat’: Working with Jungle’s Tom McFarland to capture this delectable throwback to northern soul really highlights every reason why Million Dollar Baby holds something for everybody to sink their teeth into. [3.5/5]
‘Oxygen’: To move on, we often have to let go of our past selves while recognising that they’re an important part of our story. ‘Oxygen’ shows Pixey facing her previous chapters and being honest about them—something that not all of us possess the ability to do. [3.5/5]
‘The War In My Mind’: This delightful record’s curtain call showcases everything Pixey has been working towards as an artist, producer, musician, and luscious lyricist. [4/5]
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