On Nov. 10, 2023, Victoria Walker, professionally known as Pinkpantheress, released her debut album, “Heaven knows.” Pinkpantheress initially gained traction through TikTok with her songs “Pain,” “Break it Off” and “Just for Me,” which were later released on her 2021 mixtape “to hell with it.”
In February 2023, Pinkpantheress released her most famous song, “Boy’s a liar Pt. 2,” in collaboration with rapper Ice Spice. Following her boom in success after “Boy’s a liar Pt. 2,” Pinkpantheress announced she would release her debut album.
Her style is best described as alt-pop, heavily featuring samples from 1990s and 2000s music with heavy drums or bass. She self-described her music as “a form of D’n’B that’s acceptable to listen to at home” in an interview with The Face in 2022. “Heaven knows” solidifies this iconic Pinkpantheress style.
In addition to her collaboration with Ice Spice on the album, Pinkpantheress also invites collaborations with Central Cee on “Nice to meet you,” Rema on “Another life” and Kelela on “Bury me,” which brings in R&B and rap audiences alike.
The standouts in the album are tracks 2, 3, 8, and 9. I’ll give a brief overview of these songs and the lyricism behind them.
Track 2: True Romance
Pinkpantheress samples McFly’s “Five Colours in her Hair” and Gross Boy’s “True Romance” in this song about her longing to be with an artist she’s admired her whole life.
Track 3: Mosquito
“Mosquito” is the lead single on the album, initially released in September 2023. It focuses on her issues with spending money and her rise to fame. She called it her favorite song on DIY Magazine, which features a heavy drum and bass beat.
Track 8: Ophelia
My favorite track on the album! Pinkpantheress uses Hamlet’s Shakespearean figure, “Ophelia,” to symbolize a relationship that will never happen. Ophelia falls madly in love in “Hamlet,” but it’s unrequited, so she drowns herself. Pinkpantheress uses this to speak about her experiences with unrequited love. She said she was inspired to write this song on TikTok after watching “American Horror Story: Murder House.”
Track 9: Feel complete
This track samples “KU LO SA” by Oxlade. It explores being with someone who has alcoholism and how you never really know them since they aren’t themselves while intoxicated. It incorporates synth and organ beats, a different but fun change for Pinkpantheress.
If you’re interested in seeing Pinkpantheress live, she’s going on tour in Europe this February/March and will be one of Olivia Rodrigo’s opening acts on her GUTS tour this summer!
