Indie-rock quartet :Panic :Over released their latest single ‘Choking on Air’ last Friday, 31 July. Formed in Bangor, Co. Down, during the Covid-19 lockdown, they released their debut album False Alarm in summer 2024, with a handful of singles following since.
Already familiar to IMRO, having performed at our showcase during Belfast’s premier music industry conference, Output, in November 2024, the band were also added to the IMRO New Music Playlist following the release of their new single, making it the perfect time to take a closer look at the track and the band.
Having already received some strong coverage since their debut single in 2023, :Panic :Over have three claims to fame worth noting: their track ‘Part of Something’ was chosen by UEFA as the official song of the U19s Euro 2024 opening ceremony, ‘Paper Planes’ was used in the closing montage of England vs Ireland’s 6 Nations match-up, also in 2024, and, lastly, their song was featured in a Love Island episode in 2025, though the band are adamant they only found out through external sources and not by being die-hard fans of the show – IMRO remains sceptical.
Nonetheless, self-described as a band who deliver “catchy hooks you can sing along to”, ‘Choking on Air’ more than fits the bill. An infectious, guitar-driven track with a rebellious and deviant ambience throughout, the track presents a shout along chorus which effectively complements the contrasting melodic pre chorus found in the earlier stages of the track.
Considering the band’s prominent reputation for impressive live performances, while it may be unusual to say, it feels like the perfect track for the opening two or three songs of a gig, setting the tone and giving the audience an early ‘crowd jumper’.
A defining feature of :Panic :Over’s work seems to be the way their songs ease into the verse, then chorus, to verse, then chorus again, gathering momentum through each progression before being unleashed in the second half of the track through a repeated chorus and hard-rock instrumentation. ‘Choking On Air’ is no exception, reaching a clear climax in the latter stages and building towards its main-event finish.
One of the track’s most important elements, as mentioned above, is the change to the more melodic pre chorus found in the first half of the song. This moment is particularly notable, as it demonstrates :Panic :Over’s ability to weave melodic songwriting into their crashing, rocking exterior, a quality possessed by many of the genre’s elites.
Beyond the track itself, the band also featured on RTÉ’s Behind the Music, sharing that they are headlining the Music of Irish Origin stage at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann on 8 August, as well as supporting JLS in Derry on 29 August.
The article also offered some fun insights, with lead guitarist/co-vocalist Charlie McAdam listing Whipping Boy as one of the band’s musical inspirations, and lead singer Rueben Curran later mentioning a lyric from Interpol’s ‘NYC’ as their favourite. Now, I’m willing to put my neck on the line by stating that, with music taste like this among the band’s members, only great music can prevail.
Considering their already fan-friendly sound, noted by the broadcasters referenced earlier, one would imagine that a second album from the youngsters, complete with a standout focus track, could truly open the floodgates for :Panic :Over.
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