Paxson Chase Reflects on Finishing the Pink Series

When you listen to Paxson Chase, it feels less like you’re pressing play on a song and more like you’re stepping into someone’s journal, raw, unfiltered, and fully human.

The Trenton-born indie artist has become a rising voice in the alternative bedroom-pop and lo-fi hip-hop world, blending emotional honesty with a sound that’s constantly shapeshifting. Influenced by artists like Kid Cudi and XXXTentacion, Paxson has built a catalog that feels deeply personal yet universally relatable, touching on mental health, heartbreak, self-discovery, and the beautifully chaotic process of growing up.

2025 was a massive marathon year for him. From EPs to singles, a mixtape, and finally Pink 3, Paxson didn’t just release music; he closed a chapter. Finishing the Pink series marked the end of an era he’d been building toward for years, a body of work that holds pieces of who he was, what he’s survived, and how he’s choosing to move forward. Pink 3, chosen for BUZZMUSIC’s Best Independent Artists of 2025, is a reflection of everything he’s learned, a project made not just to express pain or confusion, but to pass on clarity, reminders, and lessons listeners can carry into their own lives.

This year wasn’t just about output; it was about introspection. Paxson spent 2025 figuring out what kind of person he wants to be, who he is outside of the music, the noise, the expectations, and the pressure. That inner growth echoes loudly through Pink 3, with its themes of acceptance, reflection, and the slow, painful, beautiful journey of becoming. It’s the type of project that hits hardest because it doesn’t pretend everything is perfect; it’s honest about the highs, the lows, and the in-between spaces.

Looking ahead, Paxson isn’t slowing down. His next chapter includes a collaborative EP with close friend Loverboikai, who appeared on Pink 3 and other past projects. It’s a partnership built on chemistry, mutual respect, and a shared vision, the kind of collaboration that feels less like a feature and more like two worlds blending into something new.

And while his catalog keeps expanding, Paxson’s message stays grounded: start where you are, take the first step, and stay yourself unapologetically. For an artist who’s built his name on honesty and heart, it’s exactly the kind of energy he’s carrying into 2026.

This spotlight dives deeper into his year, his evolution, and the emotional weight behind Pink 3.

Pink 3 closes out a whole era for you, the end of your Pink series. What did finishing this chapter reveal about who you are now versus who you were when you first started it?

I’m definitely content with it all. It feels good to close this chapter. Pink was something I never thought would last this long, so it’s wild seeing how far it’s come. When I listen to Pink 1, 2, and 3, they’re all so different, but each one builds on the last. It shows how much I’ve grown, not just as an artist, but as a person.

You’ve always written openly about mental health, heartbreak, confusion, and self-growth. Which song on Pink 3 feels like the clearest snapshot of where your head and heart were this year?

Probably “Runaway” or “Slow Down.” Those songs really capture where I was and, honestly, still kinda am. Time’s moving fast, everything catches up to you, and I’ve been trying to outrun it while still figuring everything out.

Your sound blends alt-rock, bedroom pop, lo-fi, and hip-hop in a way that feels really personal. Where does that experimental instinct come from, and how do you know when a track is finally “you”?

I don’t think I ever fully know. I sit on songs for so long because I don’t think they’re good enough, then months later I’ll play them again and be like, “Wait… this isn’t bad at all. I need to drop this.” A song feels like “me” when it surprises me in that way, when it hits different after time passes.

This year forced you into a lot of reflection. How did that internal work translate into your writing and production process?

The EP Everything’s Everywhere but Where It Needs to Be was the best example of how my year started. I lost loved ones, relationships, and, honestly, parts of myself. I’m still learning and discovering new things about who I am and who I’m becoming. All of that uncertainty and rebuilding naturally showed up in the music.

You dropped a ton of music in 2025: EPs, singles, a mixtape, and an album. What did releasing at that pace teach you about discipline or trusting your creative instincts?

It taught me that not everything will meet my own standards, but that doesn’t mean the music is bad. Sometimes, releasing something for the people goes further than overthinking it. I learned to trust myself more and let the art breathe.

You’re planning a collab EP with Loverboikai in 2026. What’s the dynamic like between the two of you, and what energy can fans expect from that project?

People can expect a mix of hip-hop, bedroom pop, and alt-rock, just good music and good energy. We’ve been planning this for years, and I mean years, so we’re both excited to finally show what we can do together.

You’ve talked before about the importance of ignoring expectations and making art on your own terms. What moment taught you that lesson?

My first major release, Walk With Me, had my biggest song to date, but the project after that, Limbo, was where I really started developing my craft. It wasn’t well-received, and the lack of support humbled me. It made me realize that people will always have different opinions. There’s no point trying to please everyone. I learned to focus on pleasing myself with the art I create.