Wellington-based indie-pop artist Jack Panther has today released ‘Headlights’ - a dark electro-pop break-up anthem, which is the second single from his upcoming EP. Listen to ‘Headlights’ here
‘Headlights’ captures the intensity of pushing yourself to the limit just to feel something. “I had an epiphany about my ex,” explains Jack. “I kept telling myself, ‘I should have seen the red flags, I should have seen the signs’. It’s a very honest song about the initial feelings of anger rather than hurt and trying to rediscover yourself. Feelings that come with a break-up.”
The single is accompanied by a dark and moody video short which further evokes the emotion behind the song. Watch the short video here: https://youtu.be/5Jnl2Ed9a9Q
‘Headlights’ follows on from the EP’s first single ‘This Dream’, which was released when New Zealand was in the midst of its six-week Covid lockdown. The song received love from the Kiwi bNets, including Dunedin’s Radio One, where it featured as a top 10 most played track across the station. ‘The Dream’ also featured on the prominent tastemaker site, Sniffers.
The video short for ‘Headlights’ is a powerful, gritty joint vision by both Andrew Blackman (Director) and Jack. It dives into a Neo-Noir world where Jack is a calculated, dark anti-hero. The concept hints at a thrilling backstory, “My dark past is catching up with me. The video’s tension complements the track’s tension which culminates with a driving hook.”
Jack Panther is a queer indie-pop artist born in Auckland, but now based Wellington. He blends tones of melancholy with pop. ‘Headlights, ‘This Dream’ and all the tracks on his upcoming EP were recorded and produced in the UK with acclaimed producer Ian Barter (Amy Winehouse, Paloma Faith).
From beginning to finish the tracks on the EP tell a narrative of summer love, long distances in between and heartbreak. His writing intertwines personal experiences with relatable feelings, which reveal Panther’s own unique style of vulnerable and brooding indie-pop.