Gold Panda: The Work track by track review
The Work is the latest album from Gold Panda and his first in six years, here are our thoughts.
Date published: 11th Nov 2022
The Work is the first Gold Panda album since 2016, the electronic producer has had a busy time in the interval, having travelled and then settled down with his family. Now he's back and has brought a range of laid-back vibes with him, we thought we'd explore the latest chapter from the London artist/producer.
Here, we've taken a track-by-track look at his new album The Work.
Swimmer
Some beautiful textures make you feel like puddles are forming around your feet at the start of this one. It slowly deviates from its main melody but never too far to become unfamiliar. The string pluckings feel meditative as you get lost in this world of sound Gold Panda creates.
The Dream
Sharp chords strike out like beams of light shooting into a room. There are a lot of small details here as the layers gently shift from the background to the fore. The light string sections feel entirely tranquil as this album makes an early offer to be the perfect relaxing backing music to your day-to-day.
It feels as if the sounds are ornate, that they could shatter at a moment's notice.
The Corner
The augmented violin notes subside as we hear the first vocals of the album. It reminds us of Gold Panda's excellent sampling work throughout his career, as he mashes together different elements into a perfect harmony. The percussion elements feel as if they're rolling around the circumference of your skull.
The Want
This song feels as if it is on the border of exploding into something more danceable but it never quite happens. Instead, we still tread along a path of peacefulness that is laid before us by oscillating keys and scattered percussive beats. There are a couple of moments which can be best described as mini bombs of joy.
I've Felt Better (Than I Do Now)
The first part that really could put a spring in your step, the revolving beat here reaches for something more joyous rather than the peace explored previously throughout the album. This could well be one of the most healing albums released this year as it is wonderfully produced.
Plastic Future
This track feels quite constant for a while as the same section keeps repeating before it eventually starts to stutter before giving away to an entirely new section. The tension is brought by the constant shimmy of the percussion but it does feel a little restricted where the rest of the songs have evolved quicker rather than gestating for a little while first.
New Days
It feels like the album is at a point where it's allowing the rhythm to sit for a little longer than it was before which makes it slightly more conventional background music. New Days is quite ambient and features little variation until the final third where bolder synths are heard.
I Spiral
This feels like it could belong on a "lofi beats to study/relax to" playlist in all honesty, not like that's a bad thing but it feels like a steady continuation of the meditative vibe that we've heard so far.
Arima
The way the instrumentals ring out like bells here is strangely mesmerising, it is instantly effective at taking you to some kind of dream realm. It's one of the most effective songs on the album and it feels like a calming sonic wind is blowing right through you.
Chrome
Chrome feels like a track that is perfect for you to transition from day to night with. The gentle movement of the strings feels like it could follow a sunset. This doesn't feel like the kind of album you specifically have to be in the mood for, if you pick it up it would likely have at least some calming effect.
Joni's Room
The album closes as it has remained throughout its course. It is like a lazy river leading you to who cares where? Just sit back and enjoy the ride. It is a satisfying end to the journey.
In summary, The Work is an album that is the perfect way to relax your body and mind. It is the kind of music where you can switch off and let it take the wheel. It may gestate on some of the repetitive moments a bit too long on some songs but there's no doubt that the album has been excellently produced by Gold Panda. There's a wide range of incredibly satisfying sounds to be heard here.
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