York Calling favourite Tarn PK‘s fourth full EP is a reflection on burnout, ambition, and identity in a digitally overwhelmed world. It’s called F.O.M.O.
By Graeme Smith
Feature photo by Hammond Visuals
The EP opens with its striking title track, a song I recently chatted to Tarn about. Its soaring chorus is a bold opening statement that sets up the rest of the EP nicely.
“[I’m] now pretty much in my mid twenties and seeing people around you now have adult jobs, it just makes you go ‘shit, I better get it together.’ This song really was an amalgamation of all of these feelings,” Tarn explained in our recent interview.
Previously released single Cry Baby follows, ruminating on the same themes as it slows things down for an introspective ballad. Tarn’s signature lush electronic pop comes through strongly in it, especially during a groovy, catchy chorus. Its lyrics about being afraid to express one’s feelings are relatable.
The fresh and dreamy Turns in Custard sits at the heart of the EP, pairing ambient layers with a percussive rhythm and a sense of the otherworldly.
Sleep Walking strips things back, giving us unexpected textures and lots of soul. Like Water Sinking keeps things minimal in its intro before building to a bluesy finale with fuzzy guitar. Comfy closes the record in intimate style. Its lyrics speak of finding happiness in the present.
Tarn PK hails from Wellington, New Zealand and it causing quite a stir from his side of the world. He’s amassed over 2.2 million streams across platforms and 1.8 million on Spotify alone, garnering the attention of editorial playlists and across the blogosphere, yours truly included.
His new EP is years in the making. “Sometimes you have an idea of what the project is going to be, but this one took a long time to wrangle all of the pieces into their final form,” he said of the EP in our recent interview. “I spent almost two years writing and recording stuff that would eventually turn into this project; you plant a lot of seeds and just see what grows. It’s exciting when you start listening back and the connections begin to become visible.”
The thought and effort that has gone into F.O.M.O. is clear. I’m glad I’ve finally got the chance to hear it all the way through. It’s a collection to which I’m sure I’ll be returning, and will definitely find Tarn PK a lot more fans.
F.O.M.O. is out now and you can give it a listen below.
