It has been a difficult Sunday. What with washing clothes, cleaning cats, online tutoring and trying to avoid unwashed dishes piling up in the kitchen, I have also been doing battle with technology. Being a complete technological muppet, this is no easy task. Deciding I wasn’t going to solve the mysteries of the internet, I instead settled down to listen to some new indie pop.
Press Release:
“Originally meeting while touring with Mitski, the duo’s fast friendship and joyful, natural chemistry inspired them to channel their mutual love of vintage pop into the creation of their upcoming debut album. As shown at their dreamy live shows and on singles like “Fringe” and “The Boredom,” the result of this “pen pinspiration” is a chill, hazy, retro sound that feels like lounging by a Palm Desert pool as afternoon becomes dusk.
Their new album is a celebration of finding joy in the moment, friendship, and healing. Jeni shares, “The definition we have chosen for “Pony Up” is to acquire as many ponies as possible. By this we mean to take every opportunity to add whimsy and fun into life. It is not always easy to prioritize joy in a day or month or year full of responsibilities and disappointments and we hope putting on our record and having a personal dance party reminds anyone listening that joy is an act of self care.” She continues, “This album is, at its heart, about friendship. We came up with the name “Pony Up” on a road trip together (Emily’s first time camping!) and making this record together kept us connected even though we live in different cities. So much of the lyrical content are ideas bounced off one another, giving each other permission to take steps outside of our individual comfort zones and just have fun.”
My Review
Released on November 11th, 2026, Pony Up is available on all streaming platforms now. The album has 12 songs and lasts just under 33 minutes.
“Dishes” – Sweet harmonies and backing vocals soar and dip in the opener. The song tells us about walking out of that door (and, interestingly, given my day, about those dishes left in the sink!). As an introduction to the group and the album, it is a spirited and dynamic little number.
“Fade Out” is a little slower, with a heavier rhythm section, but still light, summery and accompanied by a dreamy chorus. Like nearly all the album tracks, it runs to around 2.30, so they are not around for long. A quick cocktail of a song.
“Holiday” – Funnily enough, dishes return to the lyrics again! The girls feel they don’t need another holiday, as when the sun comes up they will be okay. I liked the confidence underpinning this one, that little wink to the listener, and the chorus is quite catchy. It has a radio-friendly groove and is a neat piece of indie pop. One of my favourites on the album.
“PostCards” blends a little funky beat into the melody. The guitar is neat and the lyrics are dreamy and pleasant. I liked how it moves into a more prominent drum beat mid-track, while the little ha-ha-ha vocal touches are effective. “It wasn’t me who was screaming so loud,” the lyrics say, “it was always you… all about you.” And that’s a message I’m sure many of us can relate to.
“Fringe” opens with piano and a jazzy drum feel, like a soft footprint. It’s a track about chemistry and a poppy love song, but “I won’t cut my hair for you!” It has the feel of a late-evening radio track, the sort you might have on while enjoying a nice cup of tea.
“Star Crazy” is a slower track, playing with the dual vocals as they converse with each other. As a mid-album track, it is musically interesting, and later in the song a sound montage playing over different instruments helps keep things interesting.
“Vampire” was one of the singles from the album. And as we’re still so close to Halloween, vampires seem an apt subject. It’s a celebration of the vampire within us that goes out at night! A track to sink your teeth into, for sure.
“Maria” is light and bubbly. At 1.55, it is a short ditty of a track, with acoustic guitar, dual harmonies and a bit of sparkle.
“The Boredom” builds with a sense of whistling and humming, offering a smile more than a song with the blues. In complete contrast to its title, there is no boredom here at all. The track is full of springtime, slightly out of kilter with the freezing night I see from my window.
“Spooky Love” is slower and suitably spooky, returning us to Halloween and the closing days of summer. As the darker nights arrive, we begin to dress up and look for mysterious events and spooky love! I quite liked this one, as it is lyrically quirky and musically interesting.
“Patience” changes direction a little, turning in the wind and offering a new direction. Lyrically, it’s more of a conversation, with a very catchy and commercial chorus. I think it would be my choice for radio play from the album. It’s the type of track that would drop neatly into breakfast radio. It’s a good one.
“Heat Shimmer” closes the album with some strings and a strong vocal performance. It’s about the search for the sun, and the song is one of hope, where night still turns to day and we remember to turn on the light.
Summary
Pony Up is a charming collection of indie pop that doesn’t take itself too seriously. There is a lovely sense of friendship and shared creativity running through the album, with the two voices working together to create something that feels both intimate and uplifting. The songs are short, melodic and occasionally quirky, but there is enough variety in the arrangements to keep things interesting across all twelve tracks. There are some particularly catchy moments, with “Holiday” and “Patience” standing out as personal favourites, and I can certainly see the latter finding a comfortable home on daytime radio. Ultimately, Pen Pin have delivered an album that celebrates the simple pleasures of life, and sometimes that’s exactly what we need. A little sunshine, a little whimsy and perhaps a pony or two.
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By Anna-Louise Burgess
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