Over the summer, an album truly piqued my interest. That was none other than PIXIE by Olivia O’Brien. PIXIE, an indie-pop sophomore album, was released on July 17, 2026, inspiring a Manic Pixie Dream Girl Summer energy that I’ll be carrying into autumn. Now I have no choice but to write an album review about it and make other people listen to it!
I’ve been a huge Olivia O’Brien fan for eight years, and I’m so proud of the progress she has made since her last album. In this review, I will be giving some background information on the artist, an introduction to the album’s theme, a short analysis of what each song means, my thoughts and rating for each song, a cute little quote from each song, and an overall rating for the album.
Background on the Artist
Olivia Gail O’Brien was born on November 26, 1999, in Thousand Oaks, California. She grew up writing her own music, but has been releasing music since 2015. Her first original song (and biggest hit), “i hate u, i love u” was released with the Artist “gnash” in 2016. Later releasing hit projects such as “It’s Not That Deep” (2017), “Was It Even Real?”,and “Josslyn” (2020). O’Brien has done many tours since the start of her career- her most recent being an opener for Benson Boone. O’Brien’s upcoming PIXIE tour starts October 2nd and November 18th.
Album Review
Introduction to the Album: O’Brien captures the idea of a manic pixie dream girl within this album, not only in the album and song titles, but also within the songs themselves. O’Brien covers topics such as heartbreak, balancing self-worth, and pure whimsy.
Track 1: Dream Girl (10/10)
“I was your dream ‘til I became real / ‘Cause me having feelings wasn’t part of the deal.”
“Dream Girl” is one of the song titles that plays into the Manic Pixie Dream Girl theme, making for a perfect opening track. The song focuses on the issue of someone putting you on a pedestal and then ripping you off of it once they get what they want from you. While showing love to who she’s interested in during the song, she also expresses disappointment and frustration upon realizing the feelings are no longer mutual.
I remember this song getting teased over a year ago, and it’s been stuck in my head ever since. I love that I can finally yearn for the full version. I love the use of the lines about overthinking the simple things; I think they’re very relatable. The pain in O’Brien’s vocals is absolutely gorgeous. This song is definitely in my top 3.
Track 2: Icarus (10/10)
“I’m not begging you for mercy / Can’t dig your own grave and complain that it’s dirty.”
As the song title suggests, “Icarus” is a song about the Greek Myth. O’Brien compares herself to Icarus– as they both crave something that they want, regardless of whether it hurts them in the end. O’Brien craves relationships that she knows are toxic, while Icarus craved freedom. O’Brien loves the pain that builds up to the final blow, and, of course, the destruction that follows. She acknowledges the consequences that will follow, and takes responsibility for wishing it upon herself. The bridge of the song displays imagery very specific to the original myth of Icarus, but it also fits the song so well you wouldn’t even notice if you didn’t already know the myth.
The melodies and vocal layering in this song are absolutely beautiful. The chords are almost as gorgeously haunting as a song later on in the album. The lyricism is simple but genius. It is also a good transition from Dream Girl.
Track 3: I Always Say I’m Leaving (10/10)
“Are our souls tied together, or are we freaked in the head?”
This song is about being stuck in limbo with someone you know truly is not good for you, and that the relationship isn’t actually going anywhere. It’s just two people stuck in a “situationship” with each other out of pure boredom, and wanting to relight a fire that was sparked from limerence. The song’s upbeat vibe and short conversation cameo between Lydia Night, close friend who is also an artist, and O’Brien at the end of the bridge create a light-hearted mood even though the situation is harmful.
I personally died of relatability after hearing this song after being stuck in a relationship that I mentally checked out of months before it ended. I think this track has such a fun, silly, whimsical vibe to it despite how anyone with an ounce of sanity would listen and think “Why would anyone do this to themself?” Also, the phone conversation between Night and O’Brien reminds me of my best friend (shout out to Kaydance) and I just think it’s so cute.
Track 4: Guest (10/10)
“I can’t make a home here, so I’ll be a guest, I guess.”
Very similar to Dream Girl, “Guest” is about being seen as nothing more than a hookup. The other person knows that O’Brien will keep coming back even if she is not valued or treated well. It’s the back-and-forth, give-and-take of affection. Giving O’Brien the attention and affection she deserves, but then ripping it away from her and having her crawl back for it. O’Brien does this despite knowing that the reason for this is that there is another woman involved. Just like in Icarus, O’Brien does it because she loves the torture of it all.
I remember when the lyrics of this song were teased years ago, and I’m so happy the song is finally out. Lyrics like “I’m a sorry excuse for a woman, I’ve learned” and “Like a dog, you know I wanna be your bitch” has me curled up in a ball on the floor. Those lyrics hit so hard, and the entire song is just a gut punch- I love it. “Guest” is genuinely my favorite song on this entire album, and if I had to recommend one song on this album, it’s this one.
Track 5: The Masochist (7/10)
“Hate to break it to you, babe, but if I say I like you, it’s offensive.”
The song is about O’Brien choosing to put herself in e, harmful relationships because it actually brings her a sense of joy- some would say it’s masochistic (hahahaha…everybody laugh with me). The song reflects all of the other relationships that are mentioned previously on the album (and more later on). Also, she is kind of taking back her power by saying everything bad that these people do to her is actually because she wants it to happen. It’s not rare for men to brag about breaking a girl’s heart– that’s their intention sometimes. But O’Brien is so unfazed by it- she does it, knowing it will happen.
This song is lower on my ratings simply because it just isn’t the genre I typically listen to if that makes any sense? Regardless, it’s still a great song– just not one I’d really put on repeat often (even though I have put it on repeat several times). The lyricism is simple, but it’s also passive-aggressive and kind of funny. It’s like laughing in someone’s face after they tried to do something to offend you, but in reality it just looked silly.
Track 6: Take What You Need (7/10)
“I give myself to serve your greed / So here I am, take what you need.”
A song dedicated to all of the people-pleasers out there. It’s simply about changing yourself, or giving someone anything in order to please them or make them like you. It’s also about losing yourself in exchange, because you’re so used to doing whatever someone tells you to do- you don’t even know yourself anymore. O’Brien has expressed in the past on social media and in multiple interviews on the “Zach Sang Show” that she was bullied in high school, so it wouldn’t be surprising if this is where her behavior stemmed from. I really like O’Brien’s emphasis on some of the sentences in this track. Everytime she says the title, it’s almost as if she really is putting her hand out insisting on taking it from her.
I don’t really relate to this track, so I think that’s why I don’t like it as much. I do remember being like this when I was much younger though, so my opinion might’ve been different back then. Overall, the production and vocals on this song are good. In my opinion, it’s just not as good when you put it in a ranking with all of the other songs.
Track 7: Written By A Man (10/10)
“I’m your manic pixie dream, learn your lesson then you leave.”
Being seen at face value, and nothing other than your beauty— something to only fetishize and fantasize about. She vents about men not knowing her for who she is, they define her personality by just her looks alone. The song actually hits the nail on the head with a big issue in media (tv shows, movies, and books specifically) which then affects reality. Women in media written by men are commonly one-dimensional characters that lack the depth their male counterparts receive. They are there to progress the male character’s life or for sex appeal.
I think the entire song is just so beautiful, including the vocals, instruments, and most importantly, the lyrics. Even if you just turn your brain off and don’t pay attention to the lyrics, it’s just an amazingly produced song. It’s one of my favorites, and it’s probably my most streamed on this entire album.
Track 8: Goodman (10/10)
“He’s no bad guy, he’s no villain. He’d never cause you pain / Everybody loves a good man, you must be insane.”
Goodman is a double entendre referring to the person of interest by the last name, Goodman, while also referring to this man as a “good man.” O’Brien wrote this song to shed light on how victims of all kinds of abuse from men are sometimes questioned because the men who are abusing them are considered well-liked. At the beginning of the song, Goodman love-bombs the victim As the song goes on, the victim starts to see all of the bad things Goodman has been doing. Then, we start to hear about the responses of the people around them. They gaslight the victim into thinking that it’s all in their head. The only reason they do this is because of how Goodman portrays himself when everyone else is around, but only the victim knows his true self. Just like “Written By A Man,” Goodman sheds light on an important topic that isn’t addressed much.
The storytelling in this song is amazing, and the soul-blues vibes fit O’Brien’s vocals so perfectly. My personal favorite highlight of this song is the instrumental chords. As the song goes on, it just gets so hauntingly beautiful. The chords get more intense as the story gets more serious and we start to see how good of a man Goodman really is. I can really only describe this song as haunting and powerful, and I love it so deeply.
Track 9: Quarter Century Blues (10/10)
“I’ve got quarter century blues / I thought I outgrew.”
O’Brien wrote this song when she was 25, hence the title. She reflects on all of her personal struggles she has dealt with over the course of her life, especially body image. It’s one of the reasons she got plastic surgery several times. She got her first surgery at just 16. then had her first nose job. Two more followed after that. She references this in the second verse, saying now that she’s older, she finally recognizes the beauty she had back then.
She also references the struggle of diet culture, skinny trends, and how it is impacting a lot of people, including herself and people she loves. Ultimately, the song is about being perceived by society and wanting to be someone that they love, but also learning to love yourself too. And because of society’s impact, it can be hard to do. Those frustrations are also expressed throughout the song.
I, at the ripe age of 19, am also having quarter-century blues, but listening to this song reminds me that this is a struggle that a lot of women are going through right now. It also gives me hope and the drive to want to improve myself. The song feels like a reality check and positive affirmation all in one. I love how O’Brien’s tone shifts from disappointed and melancholic to frustrated, but also optimistic towards the end.
Track 10: Girl, Just Be Alone! (8/10)
“I don’t know why you’re still so afraid / Don’t we all die alone anyway?”
O’Brien wrote this not only as a personal call-out, but also as a call-out to her best friend. They find themselves hating relationships and they hate it, because of loneliness. When respective breakups happen, they crave to fill that void again. It’s an endless cycle of refusing to be alone, getting stuck in toxic relationships, and jumping right into another one. The song is an affirmation learning how to love being your own company.
I think it’s a cute electronic-hype song, and I personally agree with the song’s message. It’s a song that I would definitely play if I was on my way to a club or trying to get a club vibe going on by myself. I think O’Brien did such a good job with creating this upbeat, dance-pop song. The only reason It’s an 8/10 for me is, because I think the title repeats just a little bit too much. Also, in my opinion, there are better songs on the album.
Track 11: I Would Call But I Don’t Hate Myself Anymore (7/10)
“I would call you, but I’d rather do math.”
A song about not giving into temptation of going back to someone you know doesn’t care for you and will never treat you well. The person was so bad that returning them basically felt like a form of self-harm. There are silly little lines about other dreadful things O’Brien would rather do than returning to her past relationship (Ex. “I would call you, but I’d rather eat glass.”). She turns a song about a terrible person into a fun dance song about how much she despises them and that she’s much better off without them now.
Prior to the album’s release, O’Brien mentioned on social media that this song was inspired by another artist, Robyn. I think she did a great job at taking inspiration from her. Compared to the other tracks which have darker themes, the fun lines in “I Would Call But I Don’t Hate Myself Anymore” add so much humor and whimsy to the album. This song is lower on my ratings simply because it’s not my usual genre style. Regardless, it’s really well done.
Track 12: I’m Perfect (6/10)
“She said you’re the burger queen, and you can have it in your own way.”
This is THE Manic Pixie Dream Girl anthem. O’Brien stated on social media that this song is full of affirmations, it’s supposed to make her (and the listeners) feel more confident. Here, O’Brien talks about what makes her perfect and what would happen in her ideal world. There’s not much depth to the song. Just another fun one to dance to.
It does add a lot to the fun Manic Pixie Dream Girl theme, though. The lines are all just silly, but creative jokes. I didn’t like the song when it was originally released as a single, but it grew on me. I gave it a low score for that reason. and the lyrics are not as serious (in a deep way), not heavily relatable like the others, and I prefer the vocals and production on the other songs. Not saying this song is bad— I just don’t like it as much as the others. I don’t skip the song and still put it on repeat occasionally.
Track 13: I Can Do Whatever I Want (10/10)
“I only want your love if we’ll be breaking up, so I can do whatever I want.”
This song is about being free-spirited and living your best life by yourself. O’Brien writes about all of the fun and whimsical things she gets up to when she’s alone in her house, but also what she does outside of it too. She doesn’t like being in relationships because she feels like she has to keep herself contained.. But when she isn’t tied down by anybody, she’s expressing her true self and doing whatever her little heart desires. Nobody is yapping in her ear telling her she’s acting weird, doing too much, or being disruptive. Despite other people telling her she will want a long-term partner someday, she refuses to accept that lifestyle— that’s not our Olivia O’Brien.
This was the first song I put on repeat after I listened to the full album. The upbeat and playful vocals match the lively instrumentals. This song is just pure happiness and whimsy— I can’t help but be in a good mood when I listen to it. I love its authenticity and it’s for sure one of my favorites on the entire album.
Track 14: Imaginary (10/10)
“I hope it’s never real enough for me to hold it in my hands.”
A heartbreaking song about only being able to love through limerence. Expectations are never met because they’re simply unrealistic— or at least unrealistic— for one particular person to fulfill. Having the perfect version of a person would be a dream come true, but O’Brien knows it’s impossible for them to reach.
Falling in love with the idea of them and what the relationship could be; still being stuck on them years later while the image they have of you is outdated. Even if it could work out, and become reality, O’Brien is happier being stuck with an imaginary man.
I lied earlier. This and “Guest” are my favorite songs— I couldn’t choose between them. “Imaginary” caught me completely off guard when I first listened to it. Unlike “Guest,” there weren’t any snippets prior to the release, so I had no clue what any of the lyrics were or what the song was about.
The more I listened, the more I felt like I was being stabbed repeatedly, the knife twisting deeper and deeper each time— in a good way. I cannot emphasize enough how soul-crushing this song is to me and how much I adore it. As I sit, dissociate, and listen, I also start to think I’d rather be in love with an imaginary man. The production, the lyrics, and the vocals are perfect. I need this song injected into my veins.
Track 15: Heaven (5/10)
“Would you rather live forever, or let this just be enough? / It has to be enough.”
O’Brien writes about one of the most controversial questions of our entire lifetime: “Does Heaven exist?” She debates if there is a happy ending after a long life of hardship and if that happy ending is even worth believing in. If it doesn’t exist, why not just be happy with the life you’re already living on Earth?
It’s a very existential song that forces you to think about your own mortality. We distract ourselves with materialistic things, more concerned about what happened to them instead of us when we all die.
This is my least favorite song on the album by far— I’ve maybe played it 10 times at MOST. It’s not that it’s necessarily bad. I like the topic, but think it’s a better discussion-based question rather than a song about it. Maybe I’m biased because I’m personally an atheist. I don’t really second guess my lack of faith and I guess that’s why I don’t like the song as much-. It’s hard for me to relate to. Other than that, the vocals are still good, the lyrics still have a deep meaning, and the instrumentals are also nice.
Final Thoughts
Overall, despite still having some lower rated songs present, this album is a 9/10 for me,. I love it so dearly and I had so much fun writing about it. I love the album concept, the vocals, the production, and the lyrics are the best part. I can’t wait for the deluxe version to be released (whenever that might be). Comparing “PIXIE” to past projects, there’s so much major improvement in this work.
PIXIE covers so many untalked about and stigmatized struggles that people—mostly women— go through. I like how the album is organized and how it has not only depressing songs, but upbeat ones, too. I stream at least one song from this album once a day. It’s probably gonna be that way for a while. Heavily recommend streaming PIXIE at least once! It’s available on all music streaming platforms. It’s time for Manic Pixie Dream autumn to finally commence!