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- Summary: The first full-length studio release in seven years from the Sean O'Hagan-led band The High Llamas features guest appearances by Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Fryars, and Rae Morris.
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- Record Label: Drag City
- Genre(s): Pop/Rock
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Score distribution:
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Positive: 7 out of 7
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Mixed: 0 out of 7
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Negative: 0 out of 7
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Mar 27, 2024It’s a remarkable, joyous and life-affirming record, a testament to remaining musically open-minded and progressive, and very much confirms O’Hagan’s under-appreciated genius.
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UncutMar 27, 2024Beautifully now. [Mar 2024, p.29]
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MojoMar 27, 2024Hey Panda may seem whimsical at first, but its depth is all the grander for the work it takes to mine its many gems. [May 2024, p.84]
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Mar 27, 2024The album is consistent on the surface but a deeper listen unveils blissful tunes that come alive via unpredictable sonic twists that get better with every listen.
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Apr 18, 2024Hey Panda is a bold update of the group’s sound—layered, complex, day-glow-colored with decidedly modern R&B and hip-hop influences. Here is a band that’s not done evolving.
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May 6, 2024Hey Panda is a rich, meaty stew combining all of O’Hagan’s influences and several sides of his persona: it’s witty, wise, humorous, quirky and adventurous. Often, it’s all these things at the same time.
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Mar 29, 2024The amount of courage and skill on display is massive and apart from a few times where he falls off the high wire -- mainly when the balance tips too far to the inward-looking lyrically or he strays too close to played out trap territory -- this reboot just might win the band some new fans, while shedding none who have stayed the course thus far.