Rating: 9/10
Edited By: Amelia Zara and Salma Aouissi
Four years following the release of her first mixtape To Hell With It, PinkPantheress released her sophomore mixtape titled Fancy That on May 9, 2025. In nine tracks, she is able to embody the Y2K aesthetic, a major inspiration for this release, while weaving in influences from British beats and samples. Like many of her releases, Fancy That is short, sassy, yet still has a signature PinkPantheress flair of softness.
The opening track “Illegal” starts off the mixtape with a synth-laced instrumental that grabs your attention from the first beat. Her first line, “My name is Pink, and I’m really glad to meet you,” is accented with the perfect amount of sass. In fact, this iconic lyric has become a popular trend on social media in the summer of 2025. Near the end of the song, Pink’s airy vocals added a charged yet nervous energy to the track. Overall, “Illegal” is an excellent song that establishes the vibrant mood for the following tracks.
The second song “Girl Like Me,” despite its pumping beat, tiptoes on the themes of insecurity and self-worth in relationships. The chorus repeats the words “I never liked when you do me like that,” a vulnerable expression of an endless cycle of frustration with her lover’s actions. It is followed by the carefree lyric “Let it all go!” from “Romeo,” an iconic UK garage track by Basement Jaxx, which I interpreted as a dismissive remark towards her insecurity. The song is reminiscent of the 2000s electronica you would hear at a club. While the chorus mostly carries the song, it nevertheless has an infectious energy that makes you want to dance.
“Tonight” begins with a 2000s sample from Panic at the Disco!’s “Do You Know What I’m Seeing?” before bursting into a beat that is instantaneously addictive. This pre-released lead single became one of my favorites with its upbeat instrumentals and flirty lyrics. Pink’s iconic adlibs, especially when she pipes “Like what?” were the cherry on top that solidified this song’s place as the best on the mixtape.
The next track is named “Stars,” a bubbly, nostalgic song that samples “Starz in Their Eyes” by Just Jack. I love how polished Pink’s vocals sound with the layered production of this track. However, I would’ve preferred a cleaner instrumental since it felt too chaotic with the heavy beats and adlibs; the sample, in particular, felt jarring against her voice. While the sample does not feel cohesive with the song, it is certainly memorable for its contrast. “Stars” is still a solid track, just not to my taste.
After “Intermission,” there is a notable change of pace as the songs accelerate in tempo. “Noises” is a fast-paced and addictive song with its own uniqueness. I was initially unsure about the chorus, which is simply a repetition of a sample of Nardo Wick’s line, “What the f*** was that?,” but it began to grow on me. “Noises” is about paranoia, so the chorus is actually rather fitting and clever. The warped guitar textures infused into the song along with the electronic quality of Pink’s voice are standout qualities of this quirky anthem. This is another incredible track that showcases her evolving sound with a funky, broad approach in production and storytelling.
“Nice to Know You” includes my favorite sample on the mixtape—“Spiral” by William Orbit feat. Sugababes and Kenna. In the bittersweet track, PinkPantheress reflects on the process of moving on from past relationships. Unlike “Stars,” the buildup to the sample flows more smoothly. I usually don’t like intervals of talking in the middle of songs, but Pink’s effortless delivery enhances the song without interrupting its momentum.
The following track, “Stateside,” is another single released prior to the mixtape. While I preferred “Tonight” over this track, this dynamic and playful song comes in as a close second. PinkPantheress’s high-pitched, angelic voice shines through in this track and pairs beautifully with the production—the perfect mix of nostalgic pop that immerses you in its hazy landscape.
Fancy That ends with the song “Romeo,” which, compared to the rest of the mixtape, was less memorable for me. The instrumental is lighter, capturing the floating feeling you get when you have a crush. Unfortunately, however, the lyrics failed to land with me. I felt they were generic and lacked the emotion her songwriting usually conveys. That being said, it is important to consider that Pink intended “Romeo” to capture a “2007 high school movie musical,” so perhaps the juvenile lyrics are intentional. Through lyrics like “I feel like it’s magic, Romeo / You’re all I can imagine, imagine” I believe she was successful in representing the nuances of being infatuated by someone.
PinkPantheress’s new mixtape Fancy That maintains a nostalgic yet modern vibe, every track alive with its upbeat pulse. Although the mixtape features many samples, Fancy That still retains PinkPantheress’s sound through her signature voice and beats. I’m impressed with her ability to take such distinct samples and use them to create a fresh and cohesive mixtape. She is able to maintain a consistent style while ensuring the tracks don’t necessarily blend together, with each holding onto its distinctiveness. You can also hear a noticeable improvement from her previous works in production quality, which has matured but still has the essence of her DnB roots. Fancy That has become one of my favorite PinkPantheress projects, and my only complaint is that it is not longer. It leaves me wanting more fun, pop-inspired music in the future. Fancy That is a dynamic, no-skip mixtape that deserves a 9/10 for its addictive tracks and elevated production.
