Photo by Ian Witchell

Yeah, sure, a new Panda Bear album on the way to start the new year is great news and all, but can we all collectively breathe a sigh of relief knowing that its lead single, “Defense”, featuring one Cindy Lee, suggests that the acclaim-come-fast behind this past year’s phenomenal, genre-transcendent indie rock classic and anti-streaming success story, Diamond Jubilee, isn’t scaring Patrick Flegel away from the limelight after all? Perhaps the former WOMEN frontperosn just needed a kindred spirit from someone who’s been there to help them adapt into this new, strange career phase. In joining Noah Lennox on the first listen from Sinister Grift, they create an apt compliment of one another’s anxiety vibes. Smeared colorfully between starburst keys and flower stomps stemming from Panda Bear’s nautical psych-pop, Cindy Lee’s lo-fi frets and echoes encroaching give Lennox’s beat an extra lift to face whatever wicked awaits right around the corner. “Here I come.” Together, they sound as invincible. But also, so effortlessly cool even when having their backs pressed against the wall.

Directed by: Danny Perez

Panda Bear’s Sinister Grift will be released February 28th on Domino Recording Co.