After releasing several singles and EPs since 2017, Irish born singer/rapper Jess Smyth, a.k.a Biig Piig, returns with her debut 7 track mixtape, Bubblegum.
Inspired by her move to Los Angeles in 2020, her neo-soul sound weaves its way through the album across the fun, emotionally driven tracks.
An upbeat electronic sound underpins the energetic opening track ‘Only One’, as Smyth’s silky vocals blend seamlessly with the thumping instrumentals. This continues into the next track ‘Liquorice’, the repeated refrain “I wanna be the one you end up with” makes for an engaging and memorable listen which comes to a soft, yet abrupt, end.
Previous single ‘Kerosene’ is an effortlessly sleek track, combining synths with half-spoken vocals, a depiction of the blazing highs of new relationships.
The highs continue into ‘This Is What They Meant’, a euphoric pop song built on soaring hooks and subtle nods to disco.
A different sound and mood comes from ‘Ghosting’, as Smyth celebrates the freedom of being in a new place, fusing woozy synths, Spanish and English verse and a funky bassline. The repeated phrase ‘I could be anyone / Find a new city to get lost in’ perfectly captures Smyth’s search for identity in a new place, the very sentiment of the album.
Penultimate track ‘Picking Up’ is a delicious mix of vocal harmonies and warped beats that evolve into a drum and bass track, making for a thrilling and fun listen.
‘In The Dark’ is a soft, slow conclusion to the album. It’s a subtle nod to her previous works as it combines sultry vocals with soaring instrumentals, a perfectly polished finish to a beautifully produced effort.
An intimate and emotional listen, Smyth takes the listener through the highs and lows of creativity and finding your place in the world. Tying together contrasting sounds and stories, her latest mixtape is a stellar debut, a reinvention of the electro-pop sound and proof she isn’t stopping there.
Words by Jen Rose
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