Biig Piig: Bubblegum Review – “The Start Of A Reinvention”

After releasing music since 2017, Irish musician Jessica Smyth has transcended into the limelight under the moniker of Biig Piig. The NiNE8 collection co-founder, who recently was included within BBC’s Sound of 2023, has now shared her new mixtape, Bubblegum.

Bubblegum, which was inspired by her move to Los Angeles in 2020, a record that sees Smyth rediscover her emotions, emboldened with electro-pop beats. Whilst some may anticipate a homage to The Golden State, the mixtape actually sees Biig Piig share moments of emotional vulnerability throughout.

Opening track “Only One”, powered through a thumping drum beat and sleek synths, sees Biig Piig share her obsession around a relationship that has come to pass “Oh, I never meant for it to make you leave. Honestly you might be the best part of me”, Smyth softly shares. Aptly followed by “Liquorice”, a fast-paced electronic anthem with lyrics that carry a similar tone of longing, “I wanna be the one you end up with”. A repetitive line that will remain in your head.

“Kerosine” sees Biig Piig pick up the antics of the record; a track that carries a slick, soulful, bass line, thumping synths, and half-spoken vocals. A song that could easily be mistaken as a BAYNK or TSHA production and one that will see you include it into any playlist ahead of a night out.

Listen to Biig Piig “Kerosine” below

Following up “This Is What They Meant”, which sees Smyth team up with LA-based producer Andrew Wells (Halsey, Winona Oak) for production, is a euphoric pop anthem that contains subtle electro-disco hooks.

“Ghosting” sees Biig Piig combine English and Spanish lyrics in a song that celebrates a new found freedom, which hadn’t been shared on the record previously. “I could be anyone. Find a new city to get lost in”, softly shares Smyth. Whereas, for “Picking Up” which features Korean-American musician Deb Never, the song revisits Biig Piig’s anxiety around relationships. A song with charismatic harmonies, drum & bass breakdowns, and warped melodies throughout.

Closing out Bubblegum, “In The Dark” offers a slow, dark, release that encapsulates all of Smyth’s anxieties around love and being alone. “No way I could rest since you left. Found my home here in the dark”, sighs Biig Piig. A perfectly polished finish to her mixtape, yet still an ode to her previous works.

Bubblegum marks the start of Biig Piig’s reinvention and a sign that there is still more to come.

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Bubblegum is out now and available to order from here.