Track by Track: pizzagirl reveals his second album ‘softcore mourn’: an ode to screen-obsessed sadness
Using witty lyrics and heartbreak, pizzagirl’s second album tackles the hardships and anxiety of getting over lost love in a world consumed by the internet
Photo: Ellen Offredy
Liverpool-based singer, songwriter and producer, Liam Brown — professionally known as pizzagirl — released his highly-anticipated sophomore album last month.
The synth-heavy record serves as an ode to heartbreak but through a more new-age and internet-savvy lense. He alludes to the newfound difficulties that plague people dealing with a break-up in a social media-obsessed world filled with screens and leaves you unable to truly escape an ex-lover. To accompany Brown’s vision, the album cover features him cradling an old desktop computer, as if it were a person, with his face pressed longingly on screen as he mourns the loss of a relationship.
There is a very clear difference from the debut 2019 album, first timer, as he grows into his newfound sound. A mix of alt-pop melodies and angsty lyrics, Brown finds a bit of self-deprecating, tongue-in-cheek humour in heartbreak as each song has its own identity while simultaneously working together.
When referring to the album, pizzagirl explains, “Over the last year or so I’ve been screaming, sighing, crying and lying at my computer, which has manifested itself into my aptly titled second album ‘Softcore Mourn’”.
The album opens with the titular track; an instrumental synth-infused offering, and it sets the tone for what’s to come in the album. The one-minute song almost has this air of optimism laced with a sense of urgency, perhaps to denote the anxiety of dealing with heartache online.
Like the majority of the album, pizzagirl’s sound will have listeners immediately feeling reminiscent of the earlier days of bands like Radiohead and MGMT, especially from the Oracular Spectacular era.
Immediately following is the lead single off the album, car freshener aftershave, which in his own words is definitely a break-up song and a “cold reminder to the internet that I still exist and I still haven’t figured that out yet”. With an accompanying music video, both equally evoking an annoyance and emotional detachment from the relationship.
On the following track, al pacino, he delivers an acoustic and upbeat track, while playfully poking fun at his ex. The song has more of an indie-pop vibe, similar to that of Hoops.
He uses humour when describing his ex with lyrics like, “I didn’t mean to make you mad / But when you’re mad you look like Al Pacino”.
A theme emerges as pizzagirl channels his angst in the starkly contrasting song, bullet train. Definitely reminiscent of MGMT, this electronic banger is the perfect post-break-up anthem when you’re in need of a distraction from shouting at your former significant other who did you wrong. Especially with lyrical cynicism such as, “Oh no, you kissed your plastic surgeon / With the lips I know he’s working on”.
by the way starts off with a camp-y acoustic vibe while transitioning seamlessly into a lovelorn boy feeling nostalgic of his relationship but coming to terms with the loss.
Still a bit more poppy but this time with the added extra of an early 2000s rock and Wheatus sound, your flat earth brother (in the blades of grass) showcases clever lyricism in the opening verse: “The last time we were naked / You said you used to fake it / Now that’s some David Blaine shit”.
Similarly, golden ratio is another upbeat, catchy alt-pop tune with an addictive tempo depicting the feeling of disdain for a former lover but laced with feelings of longing and obsession.
pizzagirl manages to effortlessly combine all of the record’s musical elements with acoustic guitars, drums, synth and orchestral strings in one of the more lyrically positive songs, moreno.
However, sugar ray seems to musically and rhythmically blend in with the other tracks but builds with an aggressive early 2000s pop-punk-esque drum pattern.
In contrast is the electronic and melancholic my favourite restaurant, as he reflects on the impending sadness that comes from seeing an ex after a breakup and the inability to truly escape them in a digital world.
In the final track, download the pain, a sombre piano and strings soundscape as pizzagirl reluctantly bids adieu to the heartache.
Throughout the album, he uses humour and paints a story of the stages of a break-up in the modern age through witty lyrical prowess and a mix of musical influences.
Although it may not scream commercial appeal, softcore mourn marks pizzagirl’s growth as an artist. It might pull on the heartstrings of the heartbroken but is relatable and catchy enough to play no matter what the occasion.
softcore mourn is out now via Heist or Hit.
