PinkPantheress Returns with New Mixtape ‘Fancy That’ After Hiatus
PinkPantheress is back! After taking a several-month break from the spotlight, the British singer-songwriter has dropped her new nine-track mixtape, Fancy That, on May 9th via Parlophone and Warner Records. This marks her first full-length project since her breakout To Hell With It in 2021.
Last year, PinkPantheress, born Victoria Walker, had to cancel remaining tour dates, including appearances with Olivia Rodrigo and Coldplay, citing the need to prioritize her physical health. She explained, "It is with the heaviest heart that I will not be able to continue with the rest of my live shows this year. It appears I have reached a wall which I am struggling to penetrate through."
Speaking to Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, PinkPantheress emphasized the importance of that time off for her well-being. This period of reflection and self-care has seemingly influenced her new music. In fact, she even mentioned an impulsive haircut as a “turning point” leading up to Fancy That.
The mixtape leans further into her signature experimental style, blending pop with club sounds. Preceding Fancy That were the singles "Stateside" and "Tonight." The latter, sampling Panic! At the Disco’s "Do You Know What I’m Seeing?," previously peaked at No. 5 on Hot Dance/Pop Songs and No. 25 on Bubbling Under Hot 100. Her unique blend of genres and influences continues to evolve.
Critics are already weighing in. One review highlights PinkPantheress's ability to hop across pop's past and present with her characteristic sharp-mindedness. The review also mentions that short song lengths has been her calling card. Other reviews also highlight the cultural influence of screen time, smartphones and TikTok on PinkPantheress.
Fancy That's appeal lies in its ability to merge nostalgia with modern sounds, demonstrating her understanding of pop music trends. One notable example is "Illegal" which samples Underworld’s “Dark and Long” from the Trainspotting soundtrack. Similarly, “Girl Like Me” cleverly uses Basement Jaxx’s “Romeo”. The tracks on Fancy That demonstrate that PinkPantheress's approach brings a sharper, more powerful quality to her music.
With Fancy That, PinkPantheress delivers a collection of tracks that are both familiar and fresh. Will this mixtape solidify her position as a leading voice for Gen Z pop? Share your thoughts on the new release in the comments below!
