:Panic :Over deliver A Huge Indie Rock Anthem With Choking On Air
It's fair to say :Panic :Over have come a long way since their origins as a lockdown project. Born out of pandemic boredom and a few garden jams, the indie rock quartet have since developed into a band with a sound that feels considerably bigger than those early beginnings.
From the moment live music returned, they have embraced the stage, building a reputation for energetic, sweat-soaked performances and a colossal sound that seems tailor-made for packed venues and festival fields. Along the way they've built up an impressive catalogue of releases, including their debut studio album, False Alarm
.
While the band's sound has always been rooted in big guitars and even bigger energy, there's been a noticeable shift towards more introspective songwriting. Relationship dynamics, self-reflection and the messier side of emotions have started to creep further into the band's music, without taking away from their ability to make a serious amount of noise.
Their latest single, Choking On Air, is a perfect example.
:Panic :Over Bring 90s Indie Rock Into The Present
From the opening moments, Choking On Air
feels like a track designed to be played loud. There's a distinctly 90s indie influence running through it, with layers of guitars creating a wall of sound while a prominent bassline locks tightly into the pounding, stadium-ready drums. It's a full-bodied production, but rather than allowing the instrumentation to overpower everything, the vocals sit right at the heart of the track.
That balance is important because, beneath all the noise, Choking On Air
is ultimately an emotionally driven song.
The vocal delivery provides the melodic centre of gravity, cutting through the distorted guitars and giving the track its biggest hooks. It's the kind of chorus that feels built for audience participation, with once again demonstrating their knack for creating songs that can work just as well in a crowded venue as they do through a pair of headphones.
There is nothing particularly restrained about it - and that's exactly the point.
Choking On Air
Turns Heartbreak Into An Anthem
Lyrically, the track deals with the aftermath of a situationship and the frustration of unreciprocated feelings. It's that familiar feeling of caring more than the other person, while trying to make sense of emotions that refuse to simply disappear.
There's vulnerability in the lyrics, but the music is anything but vulnerable. Instead, the guitars are huge, the rhythm section is driving and the overall performance has an infectious energy that makes it almost impossible not to imagine this one being shouted back from the middle of a festival crowd.
Produced by Graham Davidson, the track manages to retain the emotional honesty associated with classic indie rock while giving it a modern, accessible production. The result is another strong step forward for :Panic :Over, showing a band capable of pairing introspective songwriting with the kind of massive sound that first got them noticed.
Final Verdict
With Choking On Air
, :Panic :Over prove that you don't need to sacrifice emotional depth to make a big, unapologetically loud indie rock track. The 90s-inspired guitars, driving rhythm section and infectious hooks give the song plenty of punch, while the introspective lyrics add a more personal edge.
It's energetic, melodic and built for the live environment. are clearly becoming a band comfortable with balancing huge sounds with more vulnerable songwriting, and Choking On Air
is another strong step in that direction.
The single, Choking On Air, is available through all streaming platforms.
Photo Credit: :Panic :Over
