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Fancy That is English singer and Y2K-revivalist queen PinkPantheress’ second mixtape, her previous projects being her 2023 debut album Heaven Knows which I previously reviewed and enjoyed well enough. Since then, Pink has only steadily grown in notoriety by solidifying herself as a clear standout from the Y2K revival trend. Having been following her career since Heaven Knows, I had no doubt that her most recent project would at least be on par with her previous projects and filled with some light if rather short bops. 

Indeed, Fancy That hones in on the more fun and playful aspects of Pink’s musical identity. I’d say that Fancy That is a clear step up from Heaven Knows in its production and vocals, and a step away from the more dour tone of relationship woes that defined her previous projects – which I personally thought was a good change since her previous explorations of relationships did feel a little too juvenile in a way that I didn’t really care for. 

Fancy That instead sees Pink exploring the excitement of going out and exploring a new relationship whilst reckoning with her notoriety, all defined through British kitsch. Despite the mixtape label, Fancy That is far more cohesive than what the label might suggest. 

Reflected by the patchwork cover with a collage of Tartan patterns, English roses and red telephone boxes, all topped off with a big shiny crown, Fancy That loudly advertises Pink’s English identity. And it’s just not because of Pink’s undeniable British accent that defines her signature lyrical delivery, but also the various samples and interpolations across the album that I’m not cultured enough to fully identify (which I understand is why this album is classed as a mixtape, but still) that make this album an eclectic love letter to British dance music of the last two decades. The opener and imminently overplayed Tiktok sound “Illegal” sees Pink sampling British electronic music group Underworld’s “Dark & Long”, famously used in the movie Trainspotting (1996), and “Stateside”, one of my favorite tracks off the album, literally has Pink calling a prospective lover her American boy, a clear reference to Estelle’s 2008 hit American Boy. It could easily come off as a bit too gimmicky or unoriginal, but Pink has proven herself to be able to take dated musical concepts and make them into her own thing, helped by her cutesy, tongue-in-cheek delivery. 

You might not find any revolutionary ideas or wild experimentation here (pun not intended), but Fancy That is 20 minutes of fluffy, palatable music with fun, catchy hooks. My only two real gripes – as is with every single one of her projects – is that it could be a little longer. I understand there’s always been a ‘too online’ quality to her music that explains the length of each track, but with 9 tracks that amass to a measly 20 minutes, each track just feels a little too short to show her full artistic maturity. That being said, from the sample platter of what is on display, it’s a pleasant display of Pink’s emerging confidence in her music and presentation.

Best Track(s): “Stateside”, “Stars”

Rating: 7.0/10