It’s wild to think that just a year ago, PinkPantheress could never have predicted she’d be making waves as one of the hottest breakout artists in the UK, and hell, maybe even the world. In a year where the music industry seemed to be at a standstill, she defied the odds. From timidly sharing short, grainy previews of her unreleased tracks on TikTok, she’s catapulted to fame across every social media platform, snagged a major record deal, secured spots on the Top 40 charts, and racked up millions upon millions of streams. Her tunes, often clocking in under two minutes, are just what the doctor ordered for today’s scene: playful, heartfelt, and oh-so-creative.
Despite the massive hype swirling around her, this 20-year-old Bath native’s debut 10-track mixtape not only lives up to it but blows it out of the water. ‘To hell with it’ hits that sweet spot fans adore: unexpected sample choices, throwback 90s breakbeats, her innocent vocals, nostalgic songwriting, and to-the-point diary-like lyrics.
But wait, there’s more! ‘To hell with it’ nails the format too: you’ve got the already-familiar hits like the Mura Masa-produced ‘Just for me’, the Adam F-sampled drum ‘n’ bass banger ‘Break it off’, and the guitar-driven ‘Passion’, alongside equally infectious tracks like ‘Noticed I cried’, and a handful of delightful surprises.
The R&B vibes and dembow swing of ‘All my friends know’ (which cleverly samples Sven Torstenson’s ‘Wind Glider’) bring to mind early AlunaGeorge; ‘Nineteen’ dives into relatable tales of flunked A-levels, favorite shops closing, and loneliness, set against the poignant strings of Brazilian composer Toco’s jazz-infused ‘Outro Lugar’. Then there’s ‘Last valentines’, a drum-laden track borrowing from Linkin Park’s ‘Forgotten’, spinning a tale of heartache over ominous beats – dark and emo-tinged, yet with a hint of sweetness. These tracks peel back a more mellow, vulnerable layer to PinkPantheress’s artistry, hinting at exciting new directions.
This mixtape is the kind you’ll want to loop endlessly; its concise 16-minute runtime practically begs for it. PinkPantheress unleashes these energetic and daring tracks with a confidence that only comes from surpassing everyone’s expectations, especially your own. So, dive in, hit play, and let PinkPantheress guide you through a whirlwind of sound and emotion.
