As far as seasonal soundtracks go, few arrivals capture the moody, atmospheric thrill of October quite like latest release. Aptly titled ‘Vampire,‘ the new single and accompanying visual arrive as a deliciously dark treat, perfectly tailored for the eerie nights upon us.
Jeni Magaña and Emily Moore bring their experience as songwriters, multi-instrumentalists, and touring musicians to Pen Pin, their collaborative indie pop project. After meeting on tour with Mitski, the two developed a hands-on creative process, producing their own music and performing most of the instrumentation on their forthcoming debut album. Their individual careers span performances and tours alongside artists across the music industry, with credits connected to Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, Charli xcx, Good Neighbours, Lady Lamb, and Jade Bird, informing a project rooted in musical versatility and a distinctly DIY approach.
Sonically, ‘Vampire’ wastes no time setting its scene, opening with the ticking convergence of a grandfather clock and a digital timepiece as if reminding us that time spares no one, not even the undead. From there, the track unfurls into a catchy and enthralling rhythm. Pen Pin laces the mix with hypnotic vocals, delivered with a playful, prismatic energy that contrasts the gloom. Guitars and drums pulse with surreal textures that feel entirely otherworldly, as though the track slipped through a tear from another plane of existence.
Beneath that otherworldly sheen, however, lies a deeply grounded emotional core. Jeni explains that the song is rooted in loyalty and sanctuary, noting, “‘Vampire’ is about having someone in your life that loves you so much that you know they are always on your team. It’s about having someone you feel safe with in a world of peril and insecurity.” That grounding human element turns an atmospheric indie cut into something genuinely resonant.
Resisting easy categorisation, ‘Vampire;’ moves between indie rock, dream pop, and subtle shades of shoegaze. That genre flexibility is precisely what makes it shine, offering something distinct that will easily outlive the Halloween decorations.
The visual accompaniment matches the track’s tongue-in-cheek charm. Shot entirely in monochrome, it plays with the classic cinematic iconography of universal horror icons; think of Bela Lugosi instead of Edward Cullen. Yet, the duo never lets the styling turn pretentious. Instead, the video leans into a deadpan sense of humor, dropping traditional vampires into delightfully mundane everyday settings. Watching Jeni Magana and Emily Moore navigate ordinary routines with fang-baring flair creates a brilliant, self-aware contrast that makes the watch as entertaining as the listen.
‘Vampire; strikes a perfect balance, proving that serious musicianship does not require taking oneself too seriously. Pen Pin has crafted a track that prioritises pure, unadulterated enjoyment without sacrificing an ounce of craft. As the latest single off their forthcoming debut album, ‘PONY UP!’ – it offers another taste of the duo’s playful, sun-soaked indie pop. Give it a spin and let its irresistible charm pull you in.