Something that presses all our buttons is Panda Bear’s new track Virginia Tech, previously only released on the B‑side of the 7‑inch of Sinister Grift’s lead single Defense. It’s a rich slab of psychedelic throwback gorgeouseness featuring Panda Bear’s distinctly layered vocals, a mesmerising drum line and even a euphoric sitar-like wig-out at the end. It’s not all joy – the despairing lyrics that beat at the heart of this compelling track give the song an edge. The feel of Virginia Tech is less poppy than the album Sinister Grift and it suits this later release. I can’t get enough of this track.
The song features Noah Lennox’s Animal Collective bandmate and Sinister Grift co-producer Josh “Deakin” Dibb on synthesiser and percussion as well as additional production by Daniel Lopatin.
Sinister Grift, which was released in February, is a beautiful album replete with lush Beach-Boys style harmonies and catchy melodies – End’s Meet with Latino rhythm is positively swoon-worthy. The album is out now on Domino. The accompanying videos to this album are also a compelling watch.
You can see Panda Bear live on the rest of his tour:
3rd June – Castle & Falcon – Birmingham, UK
4th June – Gorilla – Manchester, UK
5th June – Bristol Beacon – Bristol, UK
6th June – Chalk – Brighton, UK
7th June – Victoria Park – London, UK
15th August – Green Man Festival – Crickhowell, UK
30th October – Le Lieu Unique – Nantes, FR
31st October – Le 106 – Rouen, FR
2nd November – Les Nuits Weekender – Brussels, BE
3rd November – L’aéronef – Lille, FR
4th November – Pitchfork Music Festival – Paris, FR
5th November – Effenaar – Eindhoven, NL
9th November – Studie 2 – Copenhagen, DK
10th November – Voxhall – Aarhus, DK
12th November – Nefertiti – Gothenburg, SE
14th November – Blå – Oslo, NO
15th November – Slaktkyrkan – Stockholm, SE
17th November – Festsaal Kreuzberg – Berlin, DE
Panda Bear Virginia Tech out 3rd June on Domino Records
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