Ponz Explores Tension And Momentum With New Single ‘Running’
New Zealand artist PONZ today releases her latest single Running through Let Them Cook Records. Blending fast-paced jungle rhythms with ethereal, layered vocals, the track is a raw reflection on vulnerability, intimacy, and the delicate balance between connection and self-preservation.
At its core, Running explores a duality: moving toward something powerful because it feels overwhelming and urgent, or running away from it because it’s too intense to face head-on. The song is written from a place of honesty and personal reflection, capturing “those moments when you’re too in it to think clearly, so you just move.”
The sonic palette mirrors this emotional complexity. Jungle and drum & bass breaks provide a raw, pulsing undercurrent, while reverb-soaked vocals echo like thoughts bouncing around a quiet room. Vocal layering plays a central role, especially on the drop, creating a wave of intensity that deepens the track’s emotional impact. “The track feels like a snapshot of emotional momentum – intense, fleeting, and impossible to sit still with,” PONZ explains.
Part of what makes Running so powerful is its sense of contrast. Messy, chaotic breaks crash against soft, intimate vocals, embodying the push and pull of emotional conflict. The production builds a late-night atmosphere, where overstimulation collides with fragility – a space where feelings surface most vividly.
The track is also a nod to the new wave of jungle and DnB artists reshaping the sound globally. PONZ cites PinkPantheress and Nia Archives as key inspirations, particularly their ability to pair deeply personal lyricism with underground club energy. Drawing from club culture itself, Running captures the strange paradox of finding clarity in the chaos of a crowded dancefloor.
“I’ve always been drawn to jungle for its rawness,” PONZ says. “It embraces imperfection and matches the emotional chaos in the lyrics.” The result is a sound that feels both contemporary and timeless, connecting nostalgia with urgency, and intimacy with movement.
Now that the track is complete, PONZ is excited to release it into the world and see how listeners interpret its core theme. “I’m excited to see how listeners interpret the ‘running’ – whether they’re running to something or from it.”
Running follows PONZ’s growing body of work exploring the intersections of emotional storytelling and electronic music. With her ability to weave vulnerability into club-ready tracks, she continues to carve a unique space in Aotearoa’s music scene and beyond.
Running is now available on all platforms, 2025 via Let Them Cook Records.
