Music Critique: PinkPantheress’s ‘Heaven Knows’ Delivers Tangible Charm Beyond Virtual Fame

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What pathway leads one to discover PinkPantheress?

Perhaps it began with her TikTok-famous tracks like “Break It Off” and “Pain,” rooted in U.K. garage music. Or was it her more recent hits, such as the summer anthem “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2” in collaboration with Ice Spice, or “Angel” from the Mark Ronson-curated “Barbie” soundtrack? Regardless of the entry point, all paths converge at one destination: her compelling melodies, underpinned by a delightful soprano and an amalgam of musical styles, culminating in her latest work, “Heaven Knows.” This inaugural album from the elusive U.K. artist, who conceals her real identity, presents 13 tracks, with her contributing to their production.

“Heaven Knows” traverses various musical landscapes. It dabbles in hyperpop, integrates pan flute melodies as heard in “Blue,” draws inspiration from 2000s emo and bands like My Chemical Romance, particularly in its church organ elements in “Another life” (featuring Nigerian artist Rema), and explores other eclectic sounds.

Sustaining momentum post-viral fame is a rare feat, yet PinkPantheress excels here. Her musical approach until now has been characterized by brevity, a tactic honed through her savvy understanding of TikTok’s format. She crafts concise song segments, tests their appeal online, then expands upon them. This method has refined her knack for identifying captivating hooks, evident in songs about the complexities of love and romance (referenced in “The aisle” and “True Romance”), as well as themes of mortality.

This latter theme is notably present in “Ophelia,” starting with harp strings and concluding with the sound of a flowing stream, symbolizing the tragic fate of Shakespeare’s Ophelia in “Hamlet.”

A standout moment in “Heaven Knows” is the “Internet Baby (interlude),” which captures attention with its catchy chorus and the repeated line “I am not your internet baby.” Within the song, it’s a statement to an overly dependent lover, but within the album, it underscores the real-world impact of PinkPantheress’s digital achievements.

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• PinkPantheress on TikTok
• PinkPantheress’s Official Website
• “Heaven Knows” Album Details
• My Chemical Romance
• Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”