7/10

Throughout 2019, we saw the rise of numerous alt-pop acts looking to redefine the commercial market with dark and driven tendencies. And while many made a moderate impact, one that really stood out to us was Pizzagirl. Inspired heavily by the 8-bit and glitch-pop era that first emerged in the noughties, his sound was forward-thinking and breaking new ground with almost every track. Now after two years working on his follow-up in self-insolation, he returns with his sophomore studio album 'softcore mourn', a record that continues that glittering aesthetic from start to finish.

Just like all the great pop songs of times gone by, Pizzagirl prefers to mix the melancholy and euphoria to create his distinct brand of vibrant ditties. When compared to his debut LP 'first timer', it is clear that he has crafted a more well-rounded direction to take this new collection in. Regularly adopting more conventional songwriting tropes before adding his killer blend of soaring production and shimmering hooks, 'softcore mourn' is a more cohesive and driven release that shows us his experimental side without letting his imagination run away with him too much.

Since he first emerged, Pizzagirl has always been looking to adopt new ideas into the fold, and 'softcore mourn' takes that to heart as often as possible. While it doesn't have as many surprises this time around, it feels like he is beginning to grow comfortable in his new guise, making for a fresh and enjoyable release throughout.