Ecco2k - PXE (track) analysis

PXE (stylized version of "pixie" and short for "pixie music") is a self-produced 5-track EP by the British-Swedish artist and fashion icon ecco2k. It is completely accompanied by the art of Freddy Carrasco, with an "Afro-futuristic" artstyle, the two elements come together to reach an audiovisual treat. It brazenly yet subtly reflects on personal and societal struggles, quietly yet loudly speaks on emotions and insecurities, almost like the fiber of this project is constantly walking the line between fear and bravery.

The first track of PXE, self titled as PXE, hears a distorted yet familiar voice say:

"turn inside out to the outside within"

Admittedly a bit abstract, the first thing the project lets you know through a white background is that you have to throw out all sense of what's "normal" for you to fully understand and enjoy this adventure. Societal norms, gender norms, etc. It could be akin to a caterpillar entering a cocoon, coming out as a beautiful butterfly after.

The next few moments of the work begins a captivating, almost glitchy instrumental with ecco2k's vocals spread out, sometimes singing and harmonizing, sometimes speaking in a normal voice, sometimes singing as if they're descending upon you, like a fairy that has a message. The instrumental almost doesn't make any sense, but it evokes an ethereal feeling through that.

The visual you're given is a frail figure playing with a guitar on top of a powerline tower. Clouds flashing by, this is a place where humans shouldn't really be. Yet, it seems so natural. You can picture the buzzing of the tower in your ear.

This, while ecco2k is sporadically saying things like "breathe life. breathe slow. pixie music!" even ending the short stint with an "achoo!" truly gives an otherworldly yet intimate feeling. It pulls you closer, yet it's so hard to understand what the message is here. You just have to find your own meaning, they will strike everyone else's ears differently.

What sounds like a tv powering off, the electronic hum with the music causes the visuals to transition to a closeup of the character we saw former hanging off of the powerline. You can see that they're scarred and bandaged. They seem so strong yet so fragile. You can't help but to wonder what will become of them? What is this reckless abandon for their life? This is ecco2k's representation of himself. Like I said before, it's so mysterious, but you can't help but to look into it further.

During this period, you can hear ecco2k speaking in his normal tone accompanying ambient electronic sounds. Reflecting on an interview with Vogue magazine, he restates that "I call it Pixie music, you know?" To be honest, I don't think any of us know yet, but right now it can be summed up as a modern-fantasy sound. "brutal grace, combat ballerina." ecco2k references his secondary twitter account, with the tag as combat ballerina. This is the first time the clash of two generally masculine and feminine ideas shows, and it will be brought up more through this EP and ecco's future works. Finally concluding in "breathe slow, breathe life." again, perhaps this phrase is repeated in order to emphasize the importance of taking everything that life has to offer in a spiritual and physical sense. To let the air enter your lungs, as well as the magic in the air. Both to the audience, and to himself.

Afterwards, a feminine-presentingg, yet muscular version of ecco, "ECHO," is shown. Again, a mix of masculinity and femininity. Telling the damaged, more frail version of themselves to "Come out of your shell, Come into the light" in a high-pitched fairy-like voice while a chopped and distorted instrumental plays. I believe that this is ecco telling the parts of himself that are afraid to embrace certain things, like self-confidence and gender roles, to stop being in the dark. For himself to be who he truly is without fear.

The last thing ECHO says is, "come over." I think that this means that he wants the scared parts of him to escape, to meet up with the confident parts of himself so that they can live together in harmony. To liberate that part of himself so he can be who he wants to be.

The song ends right after, with ecco saying "Okay, so, um, the first track is called "In the Flesh'" And then obviously transitioning into the next track of the EP. You can hear the hesitation of a normal conversation, showing someone something that you made. It's all done in an effort to make PXE a personally-charged project.

Anyone reading this, what do you think Pixie music is? To me, it is something magical and expressive. Something that taps into the insecurities and searches for a way to overcome them. Energies and sounds clashing and coming together in order to harmonize.

 I think everyone has a different view of PXE, but I think it's very relatable to myself as well. I'm someone who struggles with gender occasionally, almost exactly like the way that it is shown through ecco's vision. I have a feminine part of me, yet I've been and still am a male. I know that there's nothing wrong with embracing femininity, but like the representation of the music video, I'm still afraid and damaged by certain things. By societal norms, by others who have told me that it's not okay. I'm still trying to find my confidence in many ways, but ecco's works and personal expression helps me with that alot. To know that, maybe even if their journey is only being put out there for themselves, it feels nice to know that I'm not alone.