Fancy That: PinkPantheress’s Stage and Studio Growth

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Over the span of just four years, PinkPantheress has emerged as one of pop music’s most innovative artists. Her distinct voice, UK garage–inspired beats, Y2K style, and endearingly shy personality have demanded attention. Born Victoria Walker, the British contemporary pop artist got her start in the most modern way possible: TikTok. Her short, self-produced songs gained popularity in 2020, captivating audiences with her nostalgic yet refreshing sound.

PinkPantheress began creating music at 17, using GarageBand to make beats. She originally intended her friends to sing, but eventually started experimenting with her own vocals. After recording a few tracks, she began releasing them on SoundCloud, where they garnered lackluster attention. After seeing Lil Nas X’s launch into the music industry in 2019 through TikTok, she began posting her own music. In 2020, a snippet of her song “Just for me” went viral and propelled her music into the public sphere. At the time, she was completely anonymous, creating and releasing music from the comfort of her bedroom in Kent, United Kingdom. Her early songs come in under two minutes, making them quick yet gripping, perfect for short-form content on TikTok. While reflecting on her anonymity, she told Vogue, “I kind of didn’t have the nerve to actually be an open internet personality.” Eventually, her other songs, like “Pain” and “Break It Off,” flooded the TikTok For You page. By June 2021, Pink was signed to Parlophone and Elektra Records, officially stepping into the professional music world.  In October 2021, she released her first mixtape, To Hell With It, which featured several viral songs like “Pain,” “Passion,” “Just for me,” and “I must apologize”.

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Now, with her sophomore album, Fancy That, and its deluxe edition, Fancy Some More?, PinkPantheress has launched into pop stardom. The album stays true to her melodramatic yet danceable bedroom-pop style — breathy, light vocals layered over strong basslines and skittering drums— but with a more polished sound. The production is much denser, the samples more intricate, showcasing how far she’s come since her GarageBand days. Songs like “Illegal”, “Tonight”, and my personal favorite, “Girl Like Me,” have blown up beyond TikTok. 

Sampling on Fancy That creates a unique sound that captivates audiences on just the first listen. Pink draws heavily from 2000s music to craft her own sonic world. “Tonight,” for instance, opens with a Panic! at the Disco sample, while “Stateside” borrows lyrical inspiration from Estelle’s “American Boy.” Fancy That’s samples aren’t random – they amplify PinkPantheress’s signature Y2K influence. Her allusions to Y2K pop culture give her audience a reference point. For an artist that caters mostly to Gen Z listeners, having Y2K references plays on her own personal aesthetic and our generation’s fascination with all things vintage. Pitchfork puts it this way: “Fancy That is a portal into an alternate universe where UK garage successfully crossed the Atlantic and fashion froze in 2006. But apart from the more superficial choices, Pink’s world-building plays out most vividly in her music. After largely forgoing samples on Heaven Knows, Fancy That is an encyclopedia of references that far exceeds stale Y2K cosplay.”

The remix, Fancy Some More?, cements Pink’s position among pop’s upper echelon, featuring remixes with Kaytranada, Kylie Minogue, Zara Larsson, and more. For example, “Stateside” offers a diverse range of remixes: Bladee’s remix on Disc 1 has a euphoric house sound, while Zara Larson’s remix has a hyper-pop/club vibe. The Kylie Minogue remix remains pretty faithful to the original, with a few differences in its production. Disc 2 offers a different style; the Groove Armada remix of “Stateside” has a beachy-house sound behind PinkPantheress’s vocals. The multiple variations offer listeners a wide variety of genres while keeping Pink’s iconic breathy vocals and catchy lyrics. Fancy Some More? Captures PinkPantheress’ full range, from dance-driven hyperpop to somber bedroom-pop, proving just how much she can do within her world. 

But it’s not just her sound that’s evolving; her stage presence has too. Once known for her timid and awkward performances, PinkPantheress has slowly grown into her role as an entertainer. Early on in her career, she famously carried a purse with her to all of her performances. In an interview with the Zach Sang Show, she revealed that her quirk was linked to her OCD. “It comes into it. That’s the one compulsion I do have. One of the few compulsions is that I do need this,” she said while clutching her purse. Pink’s “emotional support purse” is emblematic of what makes her such a compelling artist: her “normalcy.” She has talked many times about her stage fright and nervousness while performing, although she has received a lot of criticism for it, many fans find it endearing or relatable. Among the vast number of larger-than-life pop personalities, it is refreshing for an artist to be so transparent about their anxieties. In an interview with Capital Buzz, when asked about the criticism about her performing, she said, “I think it’s fair. I don’t do music to perform.”. She continued later about how her stage fright is something she is going to improve on, but has accepted she’s “not an arena artist”. Her nerves about performing and her acceptance of it are something very rare nowadays. It’s her honesty in not only her song lyrics, but also her lack of love to perform that makes her stand out. With artists like Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter commanding audiences of tens of thousands in large arenas, it is refreshing to see a pop girl stick to more intimate venues, allowing her vulnerability and talent to set her apart.​

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However, a new era has begun. Her performance on The Tonight Show was a turning point – complete with dancers, choreography, vibrant lighting, and most notably, no purse. Fans flooded the internet with praise for this performance, some fans stating, “My 2021 self would NEVER believe she’d be on JIMMY FALLONNN” and “She said she wasn't a performer, but she did great here!! I love her music, and the outfits are so 2000s core, super cute (YouTube).”  Her performance was effortlessly cool and nostalgic, tapping into a vibe her TikTok day fans would’ve been down for. Her simple choreography, wardrobe, and poses gave off 2000s energy. The choreography, although simple, was upbeat, girly, and similar to “voguing” with Pink hitting a new pose to each beat. PinkPantheress and her dancers' outfits leaned into the throwback, sporting capris, ballet flats, and beehives. This 2000s-2010s fashion is exactly what makes Pink so memorable; she knows how to reference Y2K without hitting you over the head with it. Most people hear Y2K and think of metallics, low-rise, and chunky belts, but Pink offers a more realistic look, capris, peplum tops, and business-casual to the club. The flashing blue and red lights on stage added to the “club”-like atmosphere, transporting viewers to a 2010 club. Her nostalgic dance sound works best when her visual style aligns with it, and this performance is the clearest example. 

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Part of her appeal stems from who she is outside of the music – a relatable, timid, and “chronically online” artist who remains deeply dedicated to her craft. PinkPantheress remains loyal to who she is while still evolving as an artist. When discussing the differences between this album and her previous works, Pink stated, “ I produced all of my first EP, but a lot of the criticism I got on that project was about the production, so I thought to myself, ‘Well, okay, clearly I need to bring all these people in,’ and so I did [on Heaven Knows]. I wanted to have the raw DIY production of my first project and then, with a bit more finesse that came with my second one, but still me. I enjoyed the process of trusting myself more, basically.” (Vogue). The album certainly reflects this, balancing both gritty, self-made, UK dance music with polished pop perfection. It is clear that Fancy That PinkPantheress has honed in on her vision, tapping more into her Y2K aesthetic visually and sonically, while giving the kind of sound maturity you’d expect from a second album. 

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Overall, embracing her roots while confidently stepping into the mainstream, Fancy That marks a new era for PinkPantheress, one that is much more refined. Pink’s Y2K and UK club influences are still very much present on the album, but with a much clearer finish than her previous works. Her journey in the industry over the last 5 years is reflected in her work. In comparison to previous songs like “Pain”, Fancy That’s tracks are not only much longer, but better produced. They build, having climactic choruses, dance breaks, and a wide array of remixes. While Pink’s production has improved, her stage presence has as well. Her acceptance of who she is and what she wants her vision to be has benefited her artistry greatly. This album feels much more intentional than the last; it has a distinct aesthetic and well-thought-out presentation. What used to be PinkPantheress strolling across the stage with her purse has evolved into choreography, costumes, background dancers, and set design. This album unveils a new side of PinkPantheress, one that has embraced her role as a pop star and has a strong visual style to accompany her music, yet never loses touch with the bedroom recording charm that first drew her fans to her. 

Strike Out, 

Writer: Ava Arenado

Editor: Salette Cambra

Graphic Designer:

Tallahassee