Million Dollar Baby (album)
Million Dollar Baby | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 2 August 2024 | |||
Recorded | 2023–2024 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 34:15 | |||
Label | Chess Club | |||
Producer |
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Pixey chronology | ||||
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Singles from Million Dollar Baby | ||||
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Million Dollar Baby is the debut album by English singer-songwriter Pixey. The album was released on 2 August 2024 through Chess Club Records.
Background and release
[edit]Million Dollar Baby was preceded by four singles. The lead single, "The Thrill of It", was released on 30 January 2024.[1] The second single was the title track and premiered on BBC Radio 1 on 30 April.[2] The third, "Bring Back the Beat" was released on 18 June,[3] and was followed up on 16 July by "Give a Little of Your Love".[4][5] The album was then released through Chess Club Records on 2 August.[6] It is her debut full-length album;[7] its predecessor, Dreams, Pains & Paper Planes, was promoted by Pixey as a "mini LP".[8]
The "Dinked Edition" of the album, pressed on transparent red vinyl, includes a bonus 7-inch single featuring solo piano versions of two songs: "Million Dollar Baby" and "Oxygen".[9]
Among the album's artistic influences, Pixey cites Swedish pop singer Robyn, indie groups TV Girl and the Go! Team, and Nigerian composer William Onyeabor.[10]
Pixey released the singles "The Thrill of It", "Million Dollar Baby", "Bring Back the Beat" and "Give a Little of Your Love". She also released music videos for the first 3 singles.
Critical reception
[edit]Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
The Line of Best Fit | |
Dork | |
Clash | |
The Times | (positive) |
The Telegraph | (positive) |
Far Out | |
DIY | |
Financial Times |
The album was well received by critics, who praised Pixey's DIY approach and pop songwriting. It received glowing reviews from The Times, opining "pure sugar-rush pop perfection", and The Daily Telegraph, writing that "Pixey sets herself up as the heir to Charli XCX". Clash and The Line of Best Fit both awarded it 8/10,[6] Kelly Scanlon for Far Out gave it 3.5/5 stars, and Arwa Haider of the Financial Times gave it 3/5 stars, observing "snappy hook(s)".[11][12] DIY awarded the album 3.5/5 and complimented the album's stylistic range, noting 1980s synthesisers, psychedelic rock, Northern soul-inspired horns, and alt-pop.[13]
Track listing
[edit]All songs are written by Pixey, except where noted.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Man Power" |
| 3:12 |
2. | "Million Dollar Baby" |
| 3:21 |
3. | "The Thrill of It" | 3:16 | |
4. | "Best Friend" | 4:36 | |
5. | "Damage" |
| 3:06 |
6. | "Give a Little of Your Love" | 3:30 | |
7. | "Love Like Heaven" | 3:06 | |
8. | "Bring Back the Beat" |
| 3:14 |
9. | "Oxygen" |
| 2:43 |
10. | "The War in My Mind" |
| 4:18 |
Total length: | 34:15 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Million Dollar Baby (Piano Version)" | 4:00 |
2. | "Oxygen (Piano Version)" | 3:08 |
Total length: | 7:08 |
- "Million Dollar Baby" interpolates "Commission" by Dan Disgrace.
Personnel
[edit]Musicians
[edit]- Pixey – vocals, guitars, bass guitar, keyboards, drum programming, piano
- Tige Burns – additional bass guitar (track 5)
- Ed Haslam – drums (tracks 5, 7)
- Raymond Lester – violin, viola (track 10)
Technical
[edit]- Pixey – production
- Richard Turvey – co-production (tracks 1, 2, 7, 9, 10), additional production (tracks 4, 8)
- Tom McFarland – co-production (track 8)
- Will Bloomfield – additional production (track 7)
- Kevin Tuffy – mastering
- Jon Gilmore – mixing (tracks 2, 3, 9)
- Tucan – mixing (tracks 1, 4–8, 10)
Artwork
[edit]- Marieke Macklon – photography
- Cameron JL West – design
Charts
[edit]Chart (2024) | Peak position |
---|---|
Scottish Albums (OCC)[14] | 54 |
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[15] | 5 |
UK Albums (OCC)[16] | 88 |
References
[edit]- ^ "Pixey shares first self-produced new single, "The Thrill Of It"". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on 9 February 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ^ "Pixey announces 'Million Dollar Baby' album with electrifying new single whynow". 30 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ^ Murray, Robin (18 June 2024). "Pixey's 'Bring Back The Beat' Harks Back To Northern Soul Energy". Clash. Archived from the original on 19 June 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ^ "Pixey teases debut album with "Give A Little Of Your Love"". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on 20 July 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ^ "Pixey drops new single 'Give a Little of Your Love', lifted from upcoming debut album Million Dollar Baby". DIY. Archived from the original on 18 July 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Pixey: Million Dollar Baby Review - technicolour debut | Pop". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on 5 August 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ^ "Liverpool-based artist Pixey talks her long-awaited debut album 'Million Dollar Baby' • Interview". DIY. Archived from the original on 7 August 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ^ Williams, Lana (28 September 2022). "Pixey attempts to soar on Dreams, Pains & Paper Planes". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ "Pixey - Million Dollar Baby". 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ^ Taylor, Sarah (7 August 2024). "PIXEY: "THE ALBUM REPRESENTS MY FEELINGS ABOUT MUSIC AND MYSELF - WHAT IT MEANS TO BE AN ARTIST AND A WOMAN"". DIY. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ^ "Pixey - 'Million Dollar Baby' album review". Far Out. 31 July 2024. Archived from the original on 31 July 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ^ "Pixey: Million Dollar Baby album review — self-taught singer-songwriter finds her own voice". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 2 August 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ^ Carter, Daisy (2 August 2024). "ALBUM REVIEW: PIXEY - MILLION DOLLAR BABY". DIY. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ "{{{artist}}} | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 13 August 2024.