Since releasing her triple-platinum selling 2009 debut album Turn in Up, award-winning Pixie Lott has sold in excess of four million singles and achieved three UK number ones. She has received critical acclaim in a variety of acting roles, walked the runway for Fendi, fronted campaigns for Dolce & Gabbana, and had various stints as judge on tv talent shows including The Voice Kids and The X Factor.
Her fourth studio album, Encino, released this summer, sees her evolution as an artist. It started as a passion project, and she has described it as ‘the album she always wanted to make’. I caught up with her as she was travelling back from Liverpool to London to talk about her new album, her love of Americana, glamorous moments, high fashion and mum life.
What your new album, Encino, telling us about you?
Everything was very true and very real, and I wanted it to be completely honest.
I guess it's just an insight into my last five years; what I've been through and what I've learned. I got into meditation a lot over this time. There's a lot of different topics on there, like the family, nostalgia, mental health, positivity and long-distance relationships as I was writing the album in America, and my husband was at home.
You say you wrote it in LA – how does location affect the writing process?
The reason that we did it in California is because the guys who I wrote the whole thing with were based there. That's why I was out there, to work with them. And that's why the album’s called Encino.
It was really a great time, because we stayed on the beach and drove into the studio. Every day, I would hear the waves and be back by the sand with a little meditation studio across the road. I felt like I was in a really good zone for writing an album.
That vibe really comes across in the music…
Yeah, in some of the tracks there’s definitely that kind of grassroots Americana; the melodies and the storytelling element. That also comes from working with a full band and live musicians, I think. I love that stuff. I love that Americana sound – it just feels, like, real to me.
The lead single, Somebody’s Daughter, seemed to harness very real emotion – I’m guessing anger – in a very creative way. What motivated you to put this song out now?
I don't know, I wanted it to feel empowering for anyone who's had negative comments, whether it's online or in real life or whatever. You know, people are quick to judge, and they don't know the whole story or what goes on behind closed doors. I just wanted people to listen to it and think before they say something or write something. Think about the person the comment is about, because we're all human.
We're all in this world together.
It's a crazy, a crazy minefield online and it's just, like, trying not to focus on that negativity and look after each other a bit more. I wanted to make sure that there were subjects on the album that I was passionate about. And I guess, like you said, it sounds like an intense kind of emotion which I haven't really touched on in an album before. I felt like I could say whatever I wanted to on this album, which was really freeing.
Thinking back over your career, what have been your pinch-me moments?
Definitely whenever I've released an album, but especially this time around because it just feels like a real labour of love, and I’ve put so much time and effort into it. But also my first album; when that came out, we flew to Berlin and did a show there, and they had my name across the side of the plane, and then we came back and did a show in London.
When I did my first music video, that was a pinch-me moment which I've dreamt of since I was a little girl. When I did my first tour that was, like, a big moment. And also, just meeting the people that have supported my records and like listening to my music means a lot to me. I've been doing signings in stores, and it's been really cool to meet the people that are actually there for the music.
Our issue this month has glamour as its theme. What is your go-to when you want to feel glamorous?
Oh, when I want to feel glamorous it's a blow dry. Hair looking good, and then a nice new super cool, high fashion outfit.
You're not afraid of a bit of high fashion?
No, I love fashion.
How important is it in creating Pixie Lott the artist? Do you have times at home when you're in jogging bottoms like the rest of us?
Oh, 100% Yeah, definitely. Especially with the mum life. When I'm at home, I've got my glasses on and food down my top, and I just go for the comfiest option. I love those days, but I can quickly turn it around, get ready, and then I'm out, like, on the stage doing a gig. I'll just get in the car, do my makeup and then I'm at an event.
Fantastic. What’s next – what's the future looking like?
So, I feel like we've just started on the Encino adventure. There'll be another single that will come out, and I'll be doing shows, and I tour next year. Now these songs are out there, it’s playing these songs live. That will be the main focus for the rest of the year.
We'll be doing festivals next summer, because this album came out, kind of, at the end of festival season. The plan was always to focus on the festivals next year, next summer. I can't wait for that, and there's going to be lots of Pride in there as well, which are always my favourites to do.
It's just kind of all about the music at the moment, so that's perfect.
Pixie Lott’s fourth studio album Encino is out now. Follow Pixie on Spotify, Instagram, TikTok and other social media platforms
