Single Review: Weekend At Bernies

Fresh off the success of his sophomore EP why don’t you come over?, Auckland creative Jack Panther is back with new single Weekend At Bernies, a tight alt-pop release carefully positioned for commercial success.

Weekend At Bernies uses distorted digital instruments to tell the story of a relationship fizzling out. Prominent electric guitars feel as though they’re melting through each verse, becoming stilted and jumpy in the choruses. Subtle electronic drums allow the song to move through steadily without too much dynamic change.

At times, the track’s slick pop production and simple melodies play it relatively safe. But details like distant snippets of conversation in the background of the second verse add some interest. They sharply contrast Jack’s smooth vocal performance, which makes the song a playful, enjoyable listen, but also does well to convey the often frantic and complex emotions of heading towards a break-up. The track’s bright pink and blue cover art is also worth a mention, as its bold Y2K aesthetics portray Jack’s irreverent, candid artistic identity further. 

It’s clear Weekend At Bernies is another stellar entry into Panther’s catalogue, now overflowing with concise, hook-laden tracks that position him as a powerful force in Aotearoa’s pop music industry.