Tāmaki Makaurau vocalist and DJ PONZ, aka Lauren Pondes, is stepping away from her drum ‘n’ bass roots with her new song “Fantasies”.
Produced by Ben Hollamby, this pop-inspired electro cut features dreamy synths and PONZ’s soft, fluttering vocals. Written during a “COVID delirium,” “Fantasies” is about meeting someone by chance and living in the moment.
“I recorded ‘Fantasies’ with my good friend and producer Ben Hollamby (Pirapus). We’ve been working on and off together since 2020, our two flats became super close at uni, he actually introduced me to drum ‘n’ bass and encouraged me to start PONZ!,” says Pondes.
“Ben’s involvement really brought my ideas for ‘Fantasies’ to life. Initially, the vocals were also sung with a much more intense delivery, but Ben really encouraged the soft delivery which set the track on a beautiful trajectory.”
With “Fantasies”, PONZ is exploring a new sound featuring nostalgic, pop-inspired electronic music.
“It’s my first song that isn’t a straight drum ‘n’ bass track and the expansion was definitely something that I’ve been wanting to do for a while,” she admits. “My own personal taste has contributed to the new direction and the desire to not only make music for the rave but also for listening to in a more relaxed setting.
“I feel great now that the track is done! I’m very excited to see the reaction to ‘Fantasies’ and I have a good feeling about this new direction! ‘Fantasies’ is start of a new chapter for me.”
Since her debut in 2020 with “Fragments” alongside Pirapus, PONZ has collaborated with local drum ‘n’ bass artists like REPAIR and Ben Shaw, and she’s also performed with big names such as Netsky, Hybrid Minds, and Camo & Krooked.
2024 has been a big year for her, with the release of her debut EP Can We Go Back and a new residency on the UK’s Kool FM.
PONZ’s “Fantasies” is out now via Let Them Cook.
