Panda Bear Unveils “Sinister Grift” with the Warm, Experimental Glow We Didn’t Know We Needed
Panda Bear, the solo moniker of Animal Collective’s Noah Lennox, is set to release his latest full-length album, Sinister Grift, on February 28, 2025, via Domino. Recorded at Lennox’s Estudio Campo in Lisbon, the album marks a reunion with longtime collaborator and Animal Collective bandmate Josh Dibb (a.k.a. Deakin), who co-produces the project. Today, Panda Bear offers a first taste with the single “Defense,” featuring Cindy Lee—an alter ego of Canadian musician Patrick Flegel—on guitar.
“Defense” is an immediate standout, a swirling blend of warm guitar riffs and Lennox’s unmistakable vocal delivery, transporting listeners into a dreamscape that’s both immersive and disarmingly tender. The accompanying video enhances the track’s introspective charm, drawing viewers deeper into the song’s hypnotic pull. A 7” single of “Defense,” featuring the exclusive B-side “Virginia Tech,” will be available on October 18 at select indie stores, giving fans a bonus glimpse into Lennox’s evolving sound.
Pre-orders for Sinister Grift include limited-edition vinyl options—Clear (Domino Mart exclusive) and Curacao Blue (indie exclusive)—as well as a standard LP, CD, and digital release. Fans will also receive a double-sided 12”x36” poster with every vinyl copy, and a limited-edition album shirt is up for grabs via Domino’s store.
While Sinister Grift is the first Panda Bear solo album in five years, it feels more like a culmination of Lennox’s entire career. From the genre-bending triumph of Person Pitch (2007) to the kaleidoscopic electronics of Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper (2015), Lennox has maintained a rare consistency across wildly diverse projects. His work with Animal Collective—think Sung Tongs (2004) and Merriweather Post Pavilion (2009)—and collaborations with artists like Daft Punk, Solange, and Jamie xx have only cemented his legacy as a sonic visionary.
Sinister Grift signals a new creative chapter, with Lennox leaning into an organic, ensemble-like feel. This time, Panda Bear’s experimental edge is infused with a warmth and immediacy that feels fresh, almost familial. Playing most instruments himself, Lennox enlists collaborators like Cindy Lee, Spirit of the Beehive’s Rivka Ravede, and—perhaps most notably—all of his Animal Collective bandmates, making their first collective appearance on one of his solo records.
With Sinister Grift, Lennox once again demonstrates his uncanny ability to weave the familiar with the unexpected, crafting a sound that’s simultaneously intimate and expansive. It’s a reminder that even after two decades, Panda Bear’s creative flame burns as brightly—and unpredictably—as ever.
