NYC dreamgazers PANIK FLOWER are back with ‘rearview,’ their sophomore EP, and it’s an emotional gut-check in six tracks. The project dives into themes of identity and duality—uncertainty vs. self-acceptance, softness vs. abrasion—layered over a soundscape that’s both plush and punchy.
The band worked with James Duncan (Taraneh, Dead Tooth) on production, and Carl Saff (Sonic Youth, Dr. Dog) on mastering, pushing their already-evolving sound into something more raw, more focused, and more intimate.
“This EP felt like a lot of us finding ourselves as a band—our sound and how we perform,” says bassist Max Baird. “Sage’s spoken word has become such an important part of that and we really wanted to explore it in this project. It adds another rhythmic element on top of an already lush sonic landscape.”
Sage Leopold’s vocals, often compared to The Cranberries’ Dolores O’Riordan, shine brightest when they’re backed by her bandmates—Mila Stieglitz-Courtney (guitar), Jordan Buzzell (guitar), Max Baird (bass), and Marco Starger (drums). PANIK FLOWER’s chemistry is palpable, and the tracks feel like the product of honest, open collaboration.
To mark the EP’s release, the band dropped a video for the title track rearview—and it’s not for the faint of heart. Directed by Harleigh Shaw with cinematography by Aji Bass, the video taps into anxiety, dread, and that all-too-familiar feeling of running from yourself.
“For the video, we wanted to capture the exhaustion and horror of being your own worst enemy,” says Shaw. “The outro of the song is chaotic and moody, so we wanted to show Sage getting more disheveled and drained as it all unravels. David Lynch was a big inspiration—especially since we shot this just after he passed—and we leaned into disorienting editing, saturated colors, and heavy symbolism.”
rearview – tracklist
- symptom of paradox
- rearview
- slenderman
- alkaline
- ocd
- tower
Before this release, PANIK FLOWER played New Colossus Festival and opened for King Hannah at Elsewhere to a packed house. Now, they’re playing a hometown release show on May 21 at Night Club 101, followed by a headline tour through June. You can catch them in Philly, Chicago, Detroit, and more.
Upcoming tour dates
May 21 – New York, NY – Night Club 101
June 12 – Philadelphia, PA – Khyber
June 13 – Athens, OH – Smiling Skull
June 14 – Columbus, OH – Cafe Bourbon
June 15 – Detroit, MI – Parts & Labor
June 16 – Indianapolis, IN – TBA
June 17 – Chicago, IL – Subterranean
June 19 – Milwaukee, WI – Cactus Club
June 21 – Pittsburgh, PA – Haven
What the buzz sounds like
“The echoing and haunting vocals of Sage Leopold are truly epic, and demonstrate a big part of why PANIK FLOWER is going to be a big name before you know it.” — New Noise
“A shoegaze-drenched blur that jitters between euphoria and panic… deliciously overwhelming.” — Happy Magazine
“Hauntingly emotive, achingly evocative… a sound that blankets not just the ears, but the mind and the soul.” — Atwood Magazine
“Swirling textures, fuzzy guitars, ghostly vocal layers, and an unrelenting rhythm section.” — IDIOTEQ
About the band
PANIK FLOWER came together in NYC in 2023. Childhood friends Sage Leopold and Mila Stieglitz-Courtney brought the first spark, and Craigslist brought the rest. Now a five-piece, the band captures the push-pull energy of the city they call home—combining gauzy dream pop tones with grounded post-punk grit.
Their music plays like a memory half-forgotten and half-felt, blurring themes of love, loss, identity, and longing. With rearview, they continue to build a sound that feels intimate, unfiltered, and fully their own.
For more on PANIK FLOWER:
Website | Instagram | Spotify | YouTube | Apple Music | Bandcamp
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