The closer. "Need You" is a desperate, synth-wave ballad that sounds like it was recorded in an empty cathedral. Unlike the dance beats earlier, this track sits in a tense, slow burn. It acknowledges dependency—the ugly admission that even if the love is gone, you still need the person to survive.

Upon release, CollXtion II received critical praise but modest commercial success. It peaked at No. 21 on the US Heatseekers chart. Reviews praised its cohesion and lyrical sharpness; some critics called it “too cold” or “emotionally distant”—a misreading that mistakes the aesthetic for the artist.

In retrospect, CollXtion II anticipated several trends: the 2020s “sad girl synth-pop” wave (Lorde’s Melodrama, Billie Eilish’s WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP…), the de-stigmatization of discussing mental illness in pop, and the embrace of hyper-ironic personas (e.g., Poppy, Slayyyter). More importantly, it solidified Allie X’s reputation as a cult artist who prioritizes concept over chart placement.

By 2017, Allie X had already established her aesthetic lexicon: bleached-blonde coifs, severe tailoring, surgical masks, and a stage persona that oscillated between ice queen and panic attack. Her debut EP, CollXtion I (2015), introduced her “dark-pop” template—gothic synthscapes, breathy verses, explosive choruses—but remained somewhat episodic. CollXtion II expands that world into a full-length narrative, one where the central tension is not love vs. hate, but control vs. collapse.

The album’s title itself is significant. The archaic spelling “CollXtion” (with a Roman numeral X) suggests a curated museum display—specimens pinned under glass. Allie X acts as both curator and specimen, examining her own emotional states with clinical detachment. This meta-awareness runs throughout the album: she is singing about breakdowns while meticulously constructing the perfect pop song.

The opener establishes the album’s central metaphor: love as a fragile, flammable medium. “Paper Love” is a rush of synths and double-time percussion, but the lyrics reveal self-sabotage: “I set a fire in your paper love.” The protagonist is not a victim but an arsonist. The chorus’s euphoria masks the confession that she destroys good things deliberately—a trauma response. Musically, the track never resolves fully, ending on a suspended chord that bleeds into the next track.

The album’s darkest moment. Built on a minimal, throbbing bassline, “Simon Says” reimagines the children’s game as sexual and emotional manipulation. The protagonist takes the role of the game master: “Simon says put your hands on my waist / Simon says put your hands on my waist.” But the repeated command implies coercion. Some read it as a BDSM anthem; others as a dissection of grooming. Allie X herself has described it as about “the power dynamics of wanting to be controlled but also wanting to be in control.” The track’s refusal of a traditional chorus—replacing it with a spoken-word chant—makes it deeply unsettling.

Score: 8/10

CollXtion II isn’t a reinvention—it’s an amplification. Allie X takes everything that made her debut intriguing and pushes it into sharper, stranger territory. It loses a little of the vulnerable sweetness of CollXtion I, but gains in confidence, cohesion, and sheer theatrical power. If you love synth-pop with bite, lyrical obsession, and a heroine who’s fully in control of her own unraveling, this album is essential.

Best for: Fans of Lorde’s Melodrama (but darker), Charli XCX’s Pop 2, or anyone who’s ever danced while crying.

Allie X: Unpacking the Dark, Moody World of COLLXTION II

Canadian singer-songwriter Allie X has been making waves in the music scene with her unique blend of dark, moody pop and intricate storytelling. Her sophomore EP, COLLXTION II, is a testament to her artistic growth and experimentation. Released on October 4, 2019, the EP is a sonic exploration of themes such as love, identity, and mortality. In this blog post, we'll dive into the world of COLLXTION II, analyzing the EP's sound, lyrics, and the artistic vision behind it.

The Evolution of Allie X's Sound

Allie X's music has always been characterized by its dark, avant-garde aesthetic. Her debut EP, COLLXTION I, introduced listeners to her distinctive sound, which blended elements of pop, electronic, and industrial music. With COLLXTION II, Allie X pushes the boundaries of her sound even further, incorporating more experimental and atmospheric elements.

The EP's production is handled by a range of collaborators, including Pop Wrangler, BloodPop, and Justin Tranter, among others. The result is a cohesive, yet eclectic sound that showcases Allie X's versatility as a songwriter and performer. For example, in an interview with Billboard, Allie X explained that she aimed to create a more "cinematic" sound on COLLXTION II, drawing inspiration from films and television shows.

Lyrical Themes and Storytelling

COLLXTION II is an EP that defies easy interpretation. The lyrics are often abstract and open to multiple readings, inviting listeners to fill in the gaps with their own interpretations. Allie X's storytelling is both personal and universal, tackling themes such as love, relationships, and existential crises.

The EP's lead single, "Catch", is a prime example of Allie X's lyrical dexterity. The song's lyrics are a meditation on the fragility of relationships, with Allie X delivering lines like "Is this the real thing or just a fantasy?" and "I'm stuck in the haze, got my head in the shade". In a statement to MTV, Allie X explained that "Catch" was inspired by her own experiences with anxiety and uncertainty in relationships.

Track-by-Track Analysis

The Artistic Vision Behind COLLXTION II

COLLXTION II is more than just an EP – it's a cohesive artistic statement that showcases Allie X's vision and creative sensibility. The EP's visuals and aesthetics are just as important as the music itself, with Allie X collaborating with a range of artists and designers to create a distinctive visual identity.

The EP's artwork, which features a haunting image of Allie X surrounded by flames and ash, sets the tone for the rest of the collection. The visuals for each track are equally striking, with Allie X experimenting with a range of styles and techniques to create a unique look and feel. According to Allie X, the EP's visuals were inspired by her own fascination with the intersection of technology and human emotion.

Conclusion

COLLXTION II is a bold, innovative EP that cements Allie X's status as one of the most exciting and experimental artists in pop music today. With its dark, moody soundscapes and introspective lyrics, the EP is a must-listen for fans of artists like Grimes, Tove Lo, and Charli XCX.

Allie X's artistic vision is both ambitious and uncompromising, and COLLXTION II is a testament to her creativity and perseverance. As she continues to push the boundaries of pop music and explore new sounds and themes, we can't help but be excited for what's next from this talented young artist.

In her own words, Allie X has stated that she aims to create music that is "honest, raw, and unapologetic". With COLLXTION II, she has succeeded in creating a work that is both a reflection of her own artistic vision and a challenge to the status quo of pop music.

The year was 2017, and the pop landscape was a glittering, chaotic mess of bangers and ballads. But in a small, dimly lit studio in Los Angeles, Allie X was building a labyrinth.

She called it CollXtion II.

It wasn’t just an album; it was a forensic investigation. While her debut, CollXtion I, had been the bright, synthetic awakening of her persona, the sequel was darker, weirder, and unapologetically human. The story of this record isn't just about the release; it’s about a woman trapped in a glass house of her own making, trying to break out without cutting herself on the shards.

A sarcastic, bubblegum pop explosion. "That’s So Us" sounds happy until you realize she is mocking the performative nature of a dysfunctional couple. The music video emphasized this duality, setting a picnic on fire while she smiles.

Allie X Collxtion Ii | Free & Real