Pixie Lott: “Encino” Marks a New Era of Artistic Freedom and Authenticity
Our writer V. Brewster caught up with Pixie Lott about her new release and creative process for the new album.
Pixie Lott’s career has spanned over a decade, producing chart-topping singles and beloved pop hits. With her latest album, Encino, she steps into new territory – one where raw emotion and live authenticity take centre stage. I caught up with Pixie to discuss the inspiration behind the album, her creative process, and her thoughts on touring once again.
“I can’t believe it’s been 10 years since my last album,” Pixie says, her excitement palpable. “But I’m so excited to be back doing what I love the most. This time, I’m taking risks. Previously, I was singing other people’s songs and following directions from others, but now, I’m going with my heart. It’s scary, but I want to show other sides of myself.”
The title Encino reflects the location where the album was created – Encino, California – and also holds a deeper meaning. “Encino translates to ‘oak’ in Spanish,” Pixie explains. “That felt like a perfect fit for the project. This album is about getting back to my roots, like going back to the beginning.”
The Raw, Live Sound of Encino
For Pixie, authenticity was a key goal for the album’s sound. “A lot of music now feels like it’s quickly produced on a computer, and I didn’t want that for this record,” she shares. “I wanted it to feel live, to have that real, raw emotion.”
The decision to create a cohesive body of work in one studio, with a consistent team, was a conscious one. “In the past, I worked with different producers in different places, and while that can be great, I wanted this album to have a unified feel. Everything was done with one team in one studio, which gave it that cohesion.”
That unity comes across in the album’s tracks, which blend a live-band sound with timeless influences like Fleetwood Mac, Joni Mitchell, and Joe Cocker. The opener, Show You Love, is a burst of uplifting guitars and soulful keys, capturing the spirit of the album. “I’ve always wanted to create something with a timeless sound that could be played at any point in time,” Pixie says proudly.
A New Chapter of Creative Control
For the first time, Pixie was heavily involved in the songwriting process. “I’ve always written songs, but this is the first time I’ve been credited as a writer on so many tracks,” she explains. “In the past, I’d be paired with different people or told what kind of song I should do. But with
Encino, I got to sit down with the same team and dig deep into things I’d not spoken about before – I felt safe to really pour my heart out”
Writing from personal experience became a major theme for the album. “I’ve been through so much, and this record reflects that. I’d come into the studio with a poem or an idea from something I’ve lived through, and we’d build the song from there. It felt so freeing to write in that way.”
One standout track, Comes Back Around, encapsulates the entire album’s journey. “It’s my favourite song on the record,” Pixie admits. “It sums everything up – how I’ve realised that all I really needed was the freedom to be myself.”
Personal and Emotional Vulnerability
Encino isn’t just a musical departure for Pixie; it’s a deeply personal album. Tracks like Blockbuster Video are steeped in nostalgia, while others, like Somebody’s Daughter, tackle heavier subjects like toxic online behaviour and bullying. “I try not to read negative stuff online, but sometimes you can’t help it,” Pixie says. “Somebody’s Daughter is a reminder that we’re all human, and we need to be kind to each other.”
Her time spent performing in Breakfast at Tiffany’s influenced songs like Say So, a bruised, piano-led track that touches on the emotional toll of playing a character every night. “I pushed myself really hard to get to that place emotionally,” she recalls. “By the end of the run, I was a shell of a person. It took its toll on me, and I had my first panic attack during that time. Writing about those experiences felt cathartic.”
Despite the album’s emotional depth, Pixie says the process of creating it wasn’t challenging, but rather empowering. “The tracks are all quite personal, but I wouldn’t say they were hard to deliver,” she reflects. “In fact, it’s harder to work on things you don’t connect with.”
Looking Ahead: Tour Plans and More
With Encino’s release, Pixie is eager to take the album on the road. “Performing live is my favourite thing to do, and this album was written with touring in mind,” she shares. “We’ve already started rehearsing with the band, and we’re even giving some of my old classics a big, gritty live flavour.”
The excitement for touring is palpable, and fans can expect Pixie’s social media to be the first place for updates. “Stay tuned on the old Insta,” she laughs.
As she steps into this new era, it’s clear that Pixie Lott has finally found the creative freedom she’s been yearning for. “It’s been amazing to have my vision come to life without it being watered down,” she says. “I just hope people can see all the different sides of me now.”
Pixie Lott’s album Encino is available now, and with tour dates soon to follow, this new chapter promises to be her most exciting yet. Read more about the album release here.