Tarn PK Delivers a Spellbinding Triumph With “Cry Baby” That Captures the Exhaustion of Modern Life
- STAFF
- 19 hours ago
- 4 min read
By: Staff
Emotionally charged and sonically rich, Cry Baby cements Tarn PK as a master of mood-driven storytelling.
When we heard that the highly accomplished artist Tarn PK released a new music visualizer for “Cry Baby,” we grabbed our headphones immediately, eager to dive into this track.
The song opens with a gentle, slightly hypnotic synth that sets the tone with a subtle, pulsing tension. Simultaneously, we see dizzying images of Tarn PK inside an elevator—shirt untucked, an awkward tie draped loosely, framed by the stark sterility of fluorescent lighting. The elevator becomes a metaphor for the draining, cyclical monotony of the 9-to-5 grind, and the imagery lands hard. It’s blurred and unpolished on purpose—visually reinforcing the emotional fatigue the song explores.
Then the vocals hit—and everything changes. Tarn PK’s voice arrives like a hero in slow motion: smooth, airy, but unwavering in its presence. It’s commanding yet soft, polished yet deeply human. There’s a fluid elegance to his delivery that immediately elevates the track.
What also stands out is the way his voice stretches across the beat, soaring and lingering like a warm breeze on a spring morning. It’s rare to feel something so invigorating so quickly into a track—we’re only 15 seconds in, and already, we’re hooked.
And then he hits you with:
“I...I'll live in anticipation, That I turn a blind eye and self destruct”
That lyric alone is worth playing on loop. It’s a masterclass in poetic restraint and emotional precision. The way Tarn PK phrases it, stretching the line just enough to let it ache, is his golden signature. It’s that unique delivery—a vocal fingerprint—that no one else owns. You can’t imitate it, and you definitely can’t replicate the emotional resonance it creates. We found ourselves hitting rewind just to live in that moment again.
Following that line, there’s a shift in the rhythm that almost sneaks up on you. The pacing starts to undulate—a rise and fall, a push and pull—that hypnotizes you. It becomes the kind of groove that makes your head sway subconsciously. And what also makes this section particularly powerful is the emotional dissonance: the song is thematically rooted in frustration and emotional burnout, but somehow, through its rhythm and flow, it feels exhilarating. It’s a brilliant contradiction, transforming something bleak into a rush of catharsis.
Then comes a subtle but striking switch-up. The tempo downshifts, and the song leans into a more vulnerable, emotionally raw terrain. This is where the frustration of workplace monotony is expressed in a more reflective, almost mournful tone. The production, slightly darker and moodier, heightens the emotional weight. And when the chorus hits—explosive yet restrained—it’s undeniably infectious. The crowd reaction to a live show of this will be wild. And as if that wasn’t enough, Tarn PK throws in unexpected instrumental flourishes and textures that perfectly mirror the visuals and deepen the sensory connection to the song’s setting.
What stays with you, though, long after the song ends, is Tarn PK’s vocal performance. It’s a standout in every sense—versatile, emotional, unrelenting in its honesty. As the song progresses, the vocals continue to soar and unravel in waves, supported by a swelling arrangement that grows more layered and dramatic with each pass. The build is deliberate, and the release is deeply satisfying. It’s the kind of performance that makes you feel seen, especially if you’ve ever felt trapped in the grind, counting down minutes and questioning purpose.
We were genuinely thrilled to see another release from Tarn PK, an artist we’ve followed and admired for some time. “Cry Baby” delivers on every level: from its nuanced production and bold lyrical commentary to the striking visual component and unforgettable vocal execution. It’s a vivid, deeply relatable reflection on the emotional weight of working life—wrapped in a soundscape that feels anything but mundane.
Tarn PK didn’t just write a song; he captured a whole mood.
"Cry Baby" by Tarn PK is a captivating fusion of raw honesty, innovative production, and unforgettable vocal work.
Tarn PK, hailing from Wellington, New Zealand, is a multifaceted artist, producer, and songwriter known for weaving introspective themes into sleek, forward-thinking soundscapes. With a growing catalog that includes the EPs Fantasy (2019), Monarch (2021), and Sugarcoated (2022), along with standout singles like “Papier-Mâché” (2023), Tarn continues to carve out a space that blends digital textures with emotional depth.
His evolving style—now captured in the upcoming EP F.O.M.O—draws inspiration from the gray, overwhelming architecture of urban Wellington, reflecting on the quiet disillusionment of office life and city living. While less of a sonic pivot than in past projects, this new work sees Tarn refining his sound into something more intentional and emotionally grounded.
“Cry Baby” was brought to life with Tarn PK at the helm of production and performance. A pivotal moment in the track’s development was the addition of the vibraphone—an unconventional but captivating choice that gave the song a distinct tone, bridging the sterile digital palette with a warm, almost dreamlike element. Speaking on the track, he shared, “There’s no point feeling sorry for myself, I might as well just make the most of my circumstances.”
Tarn PK plans to release more music throughout the year as F.O.M.O unfolds and we can’t wait!
You can find this release on any major platform, make sure to playlist, stream and share “Cry Baby” by Tarn PK.