Panda Bear Surprise-Releases ‘Crosswords’ EP
Panda Bear is streaming a new track, “No Mans Land,” part of a surprise new five-song EP, Crosswords, which is available to download now.
“No Mans Land” finds Panda Bear operating in familiar territory, with warped snares, glitchy synths and a melange of surreal noises forming a psychedelic pop orchestra that’s as cacophonous as it is melodic. Panda Bear, a.k.a. Noah Lennox, meanwhile presides over this jumble with characteristically soft vocals and beachy, breezy harmonies.
Crosswords can be purchased digitally via Domino, and a pre-order is available for the physical iterations — a CD and 12-inch vinyl — both out on November 13th. All pre-orders come with a digital download of the EP as well.
Along with “No Mans Land,” Crosswords includes two more new tracks, “Jabberwocky” and “Cosplay” (though both have been floating around the Internet as bootleg demos or taped from live performances). The EP also includes reworkings of “The Preakness” (which originally appeared as a demo on the Tomboy LP boxset) and “Crosswords,” initially off this year’s Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper. Sonic Boom assisted on studio production duties as well.
Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper arrived in January and marked Panda Bear’s first solo effort since 2011’s Tomboy. In June, the LP spawned a remix EP featuring contributions from Andy Stott, Pete Rock, Container, Danny L Harle and DJ Marfox.
Lennox has also reportedly been back in the studio with Animal Collective, who, according to Pitchfork, finished recording their new album. The LP will follow 2012’s Centipede Hz, though no word yet on when it will see release.