I have listened to this album a lot over the past few weeks, trying to get my head around it. Some might say their sound qualifies for shoegaze status, but that is too facile. They might even remark about a certain superficial resemblance between Rebecca Cook’s lovely voice and Miki Berenyi of Lush. But that is too easy, I think. Recorded in an old Chicago warehouse, this releases features an expanded lineup (drummer José Rodriguez) and focuses less on artificial beats than previous outings. It is all expertly recorded, and could be the perfect sonic tapestry for night owls
Truthfully, Panda Riot, whose origins come from film-making, have a unique sound. It can drip with gentle piano when you expect sonic bombast, or meander into the liquid notes of the lovely instrumental “Encrypted Wilderness”, which was too short for my tastes. And then there’s the slow burn of “Camden Line”, which remains my favorite track on the album. I just love the way it fades out with music box keyboards dominating the mix. And what about the beautiful “Golden Age”, which swirls magically through and around you? It’s another great instrumental, and you start to see where their cinematic experience comes into play.
When asked about their influences in a recent interview from When the Sun Hits, the band say that art, philosophy, and film hold greater weight than music. That could explain why “spot the influence” is a pointless game when absorbing Panda Riot’s music. I suggest kicking back with a good set of headphones and letting the music settle around you like a velvety cloak. Look for the album at the usual venues on February 19th.
