CollXtion I

## ***CollXtion I***EP by Allie X

Singles| 1. "Catch"February 3, 2014
2. "Prime"March 18, 2014
3. "Bitch"April 6, 2014
4. "Never Enough"November 12, 2015
5. "Glam!"February 4, 2021

***CollXtion I*** is the second extended play by Canadian singer-songwriter Allie X, released physically on April 7, 2015, with a short cell cycle. It is her debut EP under the Allie X name, but is her second EP overall.

The digital EP was originally scheduled for release on April 7, 2015, but was pushed back to April 14, 2015. *CollXtion I* was intended to be the first of at least 5 "CollXtions," each being a unique multimedia experience that will include the spinning GIFs featured in her YouTube videos, a comic detailing an abstract autobiography, and song stems to allow fans to make their own creations. She has stated that the project is influenced by her interest in medicine, psychology, and the macabre.

## Composition

Sonically, *CollXtion I* is a glittering synth-pop record, reminiscent of iconic 80's pop sounds with towering choruses and flashy synthesizers. Lyrically, however, *CollXtion I* is different from any 80's-esque pop record released. Throughout the LP, Allie's lyrics revolve around the themes of medicine - with tracks like "Catch" and "Tumor "- and psychology ("Bitch and "Good").

## Promotion

*CollXtion I* was promoted and teased in its early stages, through its three digital singles, "Catch," "Prime" and "Bitch." Allie X's Xamples, and her characteristic spinning GIFs used in videos were used to further promote the album.

### Phi Centre Residency

On April 7, 2015, Allie announced that she would have a 2-day residency at the Phi Centre, titled 48h Allie X . The residency began with a live performance of *CollXtion I,* followed by "interactive installations, a live performance, a pop-up shop, and a curated online Xperience for fans around the world."  A short comic, "The Story of X: Chapter One" was also shown at the Phi Centre.

## Critical reception

The singles preceding *CollXtion I* received acclaim from many music critics. Upon the release of "Catch", Jamie Milton of DIY magazine says, of Allie X and her single, "Allie X stepped on the scene like a bottle of wine at a wedding - everyone wanted a piece of her." TIME's Jasmine Cox complimented the track, saying it "shines with a level of polish and craft that’s remarkable," citing "attention to detail." Logan White of Billboard magazine called "Catch" "an expertly crafted, remarkably vulnerable synth-pop showcase." Carl Williot from Idolator said that "Catch" was "everything that’s wonderful about under-the-radar pop music right now: immaculate hooks, pristine synth work, vocal versatility, bold atmospherics and a beating, bursting heart," and named it "the best song of 2014." The song has further received endorsements from celebrities like Katy Perry, Troye Sivan, and Tyler Oakley.

Buzzfeed's Matthew Perpetua described *Prime* as a "colorful, stylish synth pop song" that is "arguably even better than "Catch"." Melissa Locker of TIME called the song "an injection of sparkly synth-pop that’s so catchy. it [sic] reminds you of why pop songs are called infectious in the first place."

"Bitch" was described as, "brimming with bubbly bleeps and sonic squelches," and as highlighting "Ms. X’s dream-like vocals," by Robbie Daw of Idolator. Popjustice said, "Allie X is one of the best new entities in all of Pop," going on to say that "Bitch" "is a bit noisier than *Prime* and *Catch* but no less amazing."

## Commercial release

*CollXtion I* was initially released on April 7, 2015, in Canada only and then released on April 21, 2015, worldwide. The deluxe version, which features the track "Never Enough", was released on December 4, 2015, shortly after the release of *Catch* (EP). *CollXtion* *I* was also re-released on February 29, 2016, on a limited edition vinyl run of 1,000 copies - each signed by Allie.

## Tracklist

### Cut songs

* "Affliction"
* "After the Flame"
* "Boom Boom"
* "Coma"
* "Crying's All I Can Do"
* "Didn't Start the War"
* "Doorbell"
* "Fast Cars"
* "Garbage"
* "Hunter and the Prey"
* "I Take it Back"
* "I'm Not Gonna Tell My Boyfriend"
* "Intervention"
* "La Bamba"
* "Losing My Mind"
* "Love Fucked"
* "Marry Me for a Night"
* "Naked Lunch"
* "Never Again"
* "Not Broken"
* "Oh My God"
* "Party Over"
* "Sculpture"
* "Shine"
* "Summer '98"
* "This Is the Jam"
* "True Love Is Violent"
* "When/How"
* "You Don't Scare Me"
* "You Only Live When You Know What You're Dying For"

## References

1. ↑ title=Allie X Announces CollXtion I To Be Released April 7|url=http://www.musicnewsnashville.com/allie-x-announces-collxtion-released-april-7/ |accessdate= April 1, 2015
2. ↑ title=Allie X, the Future of Pop|url=http://bullettmedia.com/article/allie-x/ |accessdate=April 2, 2015
3. ↑ title=ALLIE X: "I DON'T WANT TO BE ANYONE'S BITCH"|url=http://noisey.vice.com/en\_ca/blog/allie-x-i-dont-want-to-be-anyones-bitch |accessdate= April 1, 2015
4. ↑ https://twitter.com/alliex/status/585520203611660289
5. ↑ https://vimeo.com/123339362
6. ↑ title=Allie X Shares New Track|url=https://www.diymag.com/archive/watch-allie-x-shares-new-prime-track/ |accessdate=April 2, 2015
7. ↑ title=Allie X's catch Is...|url=http://time.com/4409/allie-x-catch-single/ |accessdate=April 2, 2015
8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `Idolator`
9. ↑ title=Katy Perry Twitter|url=https://twitter.com/katyperry/status/441690587545088000 |accessdate=April 3, 2015
10. ↑ title=Troye Sivan Twitter|url=https://twitter.com/troyesivan/status/445951073593737216 |accessdate=April 3, 2015
11. ↑ title=Tyler Oakley Spotify|url=https://open.spotify.com/user/tyleroakley/playlist/3C7xjpWeAjCSi1Rei3sHBg&hl=en&gl=us&strip=1 |accessdate=April 3, 2015
12. ↑ title=Allie X Prime Buzzfeed|url=http://www.buzzfeed.com/perpetua/allie-x-prime#.xlN003b9ZY |accessdate=April 2, 2015
13. ↑ title=Get Your Cubicle A-Rockin’ With Allie X’s New Song “Prime”|url=http://time.com/30574/allie-x-prime-single/ |accessdate=April 2, 2015
14. ↑ title=Allie X’s “BITCH” Video: Watch As She Continues To Spin And Surprise|url=http://www.idolator.com/7517198/allie-x-bitch-video |accessdate=April 2, 2015
15. ↑ title=Allie X - Bitch|url=https://www.popjustice.com/songs/allie-x-bitch/ |accessdate=April 2, 2015