TikTok phenomenon and English singer PinkPantheress’ new album, “Heaven knows,” is a dreamy bundle of bedroom pop bangers with a surprising dash of vulnerability, released Nov. 10.
The 22-year-old claimed fame from TikTok, where she uploaded songs like “Break It Off” and “Pain” in 2021 and went viral. She attracted fans with her nostalgic, intimate lyrics and experimental drumming.
She released her mixtape “to hell with it” the same year and delivered a short but solid debut.
However, “Heaven knows” is a more fleshed-out project that doesn’t lose her already-established sound and elevates it with more innovative instrumentals and beats.
The album opens with a haunting organ that rises and melts into Pink Pantheress’ distinct synth-pop sound in “Another life” featuring Nigerian rapper Rema.
PinkPantheress is endearingly unguarded as she melodically sing-talks, “I’m in front of you with no makeup.”
The song is playfully morbid and teases PinkPantheress’ talent to make obsession sound cute, a staple throughout the album.
She sketches an ironically passionate portrait of an infatuation so powerful she wants to feel it in another life as she sings, “You melt up my body and all my heart / At least now we’ll get all the time apart / Guess I’ll see you in another life.”
Her voice, although purposely monotone and consistently autotuned, remains catchy and dignified.
Rema’s collaboration adds sparks to this fiery piece, creating a satisfying friction of their singing styles.
He nonchalantly raps, “Got a chance to slap my demons on their wrist, uh huh.”
American singer Kelela’s soulful performance in “Bury me” is a pleasant contrast to PinkPantheress’ more one-dimensional vocals, and Central Cee in “Nice to meet you” proves that British rap may not be for everyone because of his grating bars.
The lines, “I might risk it for a biscuit / Put my hand in a jar and try reach for a cookie” clash with PinkPantheress’ flowery falsetto.
The album’s second song, “True romance” is a cheeky track about a one-sided affair with another artist.
It starts with the brief sound of a crowd cheering and the chirp of clicking cameras. This is then interrupted by a fast-paced guitar strum and PinkPantheress pleading, “Say what you want, this is true romance.”
PinkPantheress charms her audience with her lack of shame; she’s too attached but not embarrassed.
She confesses her crazed devotion to her lover, “I got a tattoo just to show how much I care / But there’s so many girls around you that I’m scared,” against the guitar and a snappy beat.
The way she sings, “Every song is about you” sounds as addictive as the supposed romance she’s trying to rebuild.
“Internet baby” is strong enough not to be just an interlude, and the repetition of “I am not your internet baby” is an appropriately worded expression of independence from her virtual identity.
PinkPantheress keeps her audience invested in her messy love and financial life with intoxicating melodies and production in songs such as “Mosquito” and “Feel complete.”
In “Mosquito,” she addresses her relationship with money like it’s another avoidant lover.
Her flow as she opens up about greed in the lines “Can I spend a fortune? ‘Cause I want to / I know it’s appallin’ how I lose you” makes you want to bop your head.
Pink Pantheress pairs a sparkly tempo with dark lyrics about dating an alcoholic in “Feel complete.”
The pain in her voice as she chants, “I guess, I never knеw you very well (Knew you very well)” somehow wouldn’t be the same without the layered electronic sounds. It’s the kind of polarization of heavy topics with humor that Gen Z listeners will have fun with.
The tracklist follows a logical order until the end, where PinkPantheress’ biggest hit yet from earlier this year, “Boy’s a liar Pt. 2” featuring Ice Spice is randomly placed to generate more streams.
It’s a little rude, but the album does deserve some extra attention.
PinkPantheress’ “Heaven knows” is a glittery record about the price of being a girl too in love that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
“Heaven knows” is available to stream on Apple Music and Spotify.



