“Cry Baby” - Tarn PK
Photo Credit: Hammond Visuals
Tarn PK’s “Cry Baby” is a shimmering, late-night self-check wrapped in vibraphones and synths — and it hits in all the right ways.
If you’ve been following Tarn PK, the Wellington-based artist/producer/songwriter with a knack for emotional storytelling and genre-bending production, you’ll know his journey’s been one of steady evolution. From the dreaminess of “Fantasy” to the rich textures of “Monarch” and the glossy introspection in “Sugarcoated,” Tarn has always worn his heart on his sonic sleeve — and “Cry Baby,” the first peek into his upcoming F.O.M.O EP, might just be his most relatable and mature offering yet.
This track feels like staring out the bus window at a grey, overcast city, headphones on, mind racing — but there’s a twist. Rather than sinking into despair, Cry Baby catches that moment where the fog starts to lift, and you remember to just… breathe. It’s got that "ok, life’s weird but let’s roll with it" kind of energy.
Lyrically, Tarn’s reflecting on feeling stuck — the dreaded 9-5 grind, the pressure to be more, do more, feel something. Instead of spiraling into self-pity, he flips the narrative: “what am I going to do about this?” There’s a quiet empowerment in that. It’s not about fireworks or breakthroughs, it’s about accepting where you are, and making peace with the pace.
Sonically, this track is clean, textured, and beautifully balanced. Tarn blends digital synths with live drum breaks in a way that feels nostalgic yet fresh — kind of like if Bon Iver, Toro y Moi, and Dayglow had a jam session in an apartment overlooking downtown Wellington. But the real wildcard is the vibraphone. It adds an unexpected warmth and bounce, like a little ray of sunshine peeking through the concrete jungle.
Photo Credit: Hammond Visuals
The production is tight, crisp, and self-assured. It’s clear Tarn has settled into a sound that feels honest and unforced. Where past EPs sometimes jumped between styles, “Cry Baby” suggests a more cohesive direction for F.O.M.O — less searching, more arriving.
It’s also worth noting that while Tarn is still very much indie in spirit, his trajectory is anything but small. With nearly 1.8 million Spotify streams, a standout like “Cheap Ecstasy” (900k plays), and multiple playlist features across both Spotify and Apple Music, it’s clear people are paying attention.
“Cry Baby” isn’t just another sad boy alt-pop track. It’s an anthem for the low-key lost, the quietly ambitious, the emotionally self-aware. It doesn’t shout. It doesn’t beg. It just is — and that’s exactly what makes it feel so damn real.
Big things ahead for Tarn PK. If “Cry Baby” is the start of this next chapter, we’re all ears.
“Cry Baby” is available now on all major streaming platforms
