PANIK FLOWER Shifts Focus to Self-Exploration in Upcoming EP 'rearview'
- Mikaila Storrs
- Jan 14
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 3
Rising NYC dreamgaze band PANIK FLOWER has unveiled "alkaline," the lead single from their upcoming EP, rearview, set to release on April 30.
Comprised of Sage Leopold, Mila Stieglitz-Courtney, Jordan Buzzell, Max Baird, and Marco Starger, the band delivers a captivating blend of rising crescendos and crashing dynamics, embodying a delicate balance of tension and release. The track features a lush, immersive soundscape that transitions seamlessly into powerful, driving hooks, evoking a deep sense of longing and desire. "alkaline" perfectly bridges the realms of dreamy pop and shoegaze, offering a compelling preview of the band’s sophomore EP.
“Jordan brought this to us a long time ago, and I remember being incredibly persistent about having to flesh it out,” says guitarist and vocalist Mila Stieglitz-Courtney, reflecting on how the haunting chords resonated with her deeply.
Vocalist Sage Leopold adds, “We spent a lot of time perfecting the wall of sound at the beginning of this track – we wanted to capture a certain intensity with this part while also having it be fuzzy and warm. The dynamics swiftly shift into a more pared-back, sparse instrumental which really plays with this push-pull dualism that a lot of the EP encompasses. You’re then thrust into this super driving chorus. The whole song really has this sense of yearning from instrumentals to lyrics.”
Formed in 2022, PANIK FLOWER released their first EP, Dark Blue, which centered on the intricacies of romance and relationships. With their upcoming EP, rearview, the band turns inward to explore personal themes. The new project focuses on identity, reflecting on the tension between self-doubt and self-acceptance. This journey of self-exploration is captured through a lush, emotive soundscape. Produced, mixed, and recorded by James Duncan (Taraneh, Nara’s Room, Dead Tooth, Raavi) and mastered by Carl Saff (Drops Nineteens, Dr. Dog, Sonic Youth), rearview marks a deeper and more introspective chapter for the band.
