Has PinkPantheress upped her game for the summer of 2025 with her new album release?
PinkPantheress—or Victoria Beverley Walker—is a 24-year-old English singer-songwriter and producer. Her springboard to stardom was aided by TikTok and its ability to foster viral sensations, particularly when she released Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2 with Ice Spice back in 2023. Walker’s unique vocal qualities and distinctive UK garage-pop fusion sound have returned for the artist’s third studio album, released today.
Track 1 – Illegal
8/10
This was one of my favourites from the project, as Walker’s nonchalant, aloof vocal delivery becomes so infectious. As soon as she began with “My name is Pink and I’m really glad to meet you”, the apt introduction had me hooked. It’s a refreshing, bright and open sound for a song with the opposite sentiment—it’s about a secret, risky relationship that feels wrong. I only wish the song’s ending matched the beginning, rather than a long instrumental outro. However, as an opener, it was strong.
Track 2 – Girl Like Me
8/10
Right from the beginning, I pictured this track performing well at a UK summer festival. The funky house beat mixed with liquid drum ’n’ bass wove together to create a punchy, energetic result. Walker’s ability to solidify a motif with repetition is always admirable, and it works especially well here, with the chorus line “Let it all go” chanted by her and backing vocalists, making the song feel live. The first two songs seem to follow the same structure, so the long outro with light vocals felt familiar.
Track 3 – Tonight
9/10
As a song I’ve already reviewed, I wanted to see how it worked in the context of the rest of the project. It strikes me as the right choice for the first single, as it feels the most TikTok-friendly. This track also has that infectious quality, achieved through Walker’s repetition and innocent vocal delivery. It’s definitely a standout from the album.
Track 4 – Stars
6/10
The energy remains high as we move into the central songs in the tracklist. I appreciate this track, especially Walker’s lower register vocals in the chorus. The syncopation in the vocals and phone call dialogue in the middle of the song make it stand out from the others, yet in terms of sound, the accompaniment feels very similar to all the previous tracks. Perhaps it’s cohesive to a fault. The following track is a short intermission (quite literally) that sets up the back half of the album.
Track 6 – Noises
7/10
This track feels completely liquid d’n’b inspired, with short rests counteracted by bursts of energy and a strong, uptempo beat to move things along. It’s definitely short—only 1:44—so it ends before it really gets a chance to go for it. I’d have liked it to be more fleshed out, with a third chorus for sure, as it’s one of the strongest on the album.
Track 7 – Nice to Know You
8/10
Walker opts for a more mid-tempo opening here, and it’s nice to hear a different sound on this project—one that feels fresh yet familiar at the same time. The chorus heavily samples William Orbit’s Spiral, featuring the Sugababes and Kenna, and it really works to add character to the song—a more self-realised track about losing contact with a close friend.
Track 8 – Stateside
9/10
Stateside is easily my top track from this project. As the second single, it brings that UK festival energy. The opening garners excitement, as Walker begins with vocals only, before gradually building the accompaniment piece by piece. Before you know it, the song is officially under way. The d’n’b influence is very prominent here, with trap and garage beats infused to make it irresistibly catchy. As an artist known for her British identity and sound, it’s interesting to hear her weave in a story about her interest in American culture, music, and even relationships.
Track 9 – Romeo
8/10
A guitar motif threw me off at first, before PinkPantheress came in with her vocals and the danceable beat followed. She portrays her lover as “my Romeo, always doing something to throw me off”, reflecting the song’s exciting qualities that keep the listener guessing. The sonic accompaniment here is one of my favourites—it feels bright, spirited and fun, which is what initially drew me to PinkPantheress’ style. She definitely keeps that fun consistent and present until the very end.
Fancy That
7/10
For what I wouldn’t consider my favourite of PinkPantheress’ albums (Heaven Knows stays in the top spot), I’m impressed by this project. Although it left as promptly as it arrived—with only 20 minutes of music over nine tracks—it felt very authentic to the artist, and extremely British. Out of all her releases, this feels the most appropriate to listen to in the summer, so hats off to PinkPantheress for timing the release perfectly!
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