It does not feel like all that long ago Pixey was pushing out Dreams, Pains & Paper Planes. In no time at all, Pixey found a unique and heartfelt style – a blur of anthemic elements and a sense of pride in the indie scene which has no doubt influenced her here or there. The Thrill of It manages to pair those two pasts, tying them together and presenting this long and winding influence of wanting to set the world ablaze but feeling the knock and call of reality. As grand and thrilling as it would be to be taken by this titular thrill, the real world prevents any form of gasoline-based antics, unless you’re on a late-night drive and said driver swings the petrol pump at you. Turns out there is no way to get the stench of petrol out of corduroy. We make do and move on, picking up The Thrill of It as we do.
What thrill do we now get? For some, it is checking their bank balance and seeing themselves float comfortably above the red but for others, it is the late-night drinks and drives, not at the same time, that bring out the elements of memory formed as exciting times in the route of life. It is hard not to enjoy the simple yet effective blur of elements forming love – fire and gasoline used as a tool of passion and bolstered by an intense vocal performance. What is not to love? Nothing to endure but much to enjoy, as it has always been for Pixey. Their move away from the bedroom pop joy of their earlier works and into this field of unrepentant and relentless synth alt-pop felt inevitable.
Though if anyone can take a genre to task, it is likely Pixey. Those alternate genre charms are what keep the competitors marching on in search of new sounds. Pixey has once again stoked the fires with this one, another effort which will see her remarkable form adapt to the thrills of an ever-evolving genre. It has pop hit written all over it. Flows of nostalgia and the desire to make a scene feels oddly mature given how some will take the yelling and flailing around. But it has the appeal of searching for thrills – whether this is finding some controversial stance while eating chips in a fast food restaurant or popping out some nostalgic feel for a genre now opened to just about any artist who dares to step foot in it.
A perfect song to clean petrol out of your jacket to. The Thrill of It certainly gives you something to be thrilled about. Whip an espresso down your throat and lock in to another fine piece of Pixey work. One of the most dependable pop-oriented artists around and with no signs of stopping, all roads lead to quality for the wonderful charms of an artist who has risen to the challenge of consistent, quality releases. In the era of streaming – the only era most of us know – the access to constantly new and whirring sounds, relevant enough to stick around in your ear until the next release is settled, is more important than ever. Pixey has plenty up her sleeve and The Thrill Of It has all the right punches of “more to come, stick around” potential.
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