Panda Bear’s ‘Sinister Grift’ is a self-assured, midlife joyride
Noah Lennox of Animal Collective has made a few 21st century classics performing solo under his Panda Bear moniker. Records like Person Pitch and Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper were dizzying affairs filled to the brim with ideas.
On his new album, Lennox glides through different sonic textures with ease.
“If the thing feels good, I just sort of let it ride in a way that maybe I didn’t so much in the past,” he says.
In this session, Panda Bear talks about making Sinister Grift; working with longtime friend and Animal Collective bandmate Deakin; and why you might have to open your wallet if you want to hire your daughter to perform on your album.
Plus, we’ll hear live performances from Panda Bear recorded in Spain.
This episode of World Cafe was produced and edited by Miguel Perez. Our senior producer is Kimberly Junod and our engineer is Chris Williams. Our programming and booking coordinator is Chelsea Johnson and our line producer is Will Loftus.
Alabama Power seeks to delay rate hike for new gas plant amid outcry
The state’s largest utility has proposed delaying the rate increase from its purchase of a $622 million natural gas plant until 2028.
Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones announces run for Alabama governor
Jones announced his campaign Monday afternoon, hours after filing campaign paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office. His gubernatorial bid could set up a rematch with U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the Republican who defeated Jones in 2020 and is now running for governor.
Scorching Saturdays: The rising heat threat inside football stadiums
Excessive heat and more frequent medical incidents in Southern college football stadiums could be a warning sign for universities across the country.
Judge orders new Alabama Senate map after ruling found racial gerrymandering
U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco, appointed by President Donald Trump during his first term, issued the ruling Monday putting a new court-selected map in place for the 2026 and 2030 elections.
Construction on Meta’s largest data center brings 600% crash spike, chaos to rural Louisiana
An investigation from the Gulf States Newsroom found that trucks contracted to work at the Meta facility are causing delays and dangerous roads in Holly Ridge.
Bessemer City Council approves rezoning for a massive data center, dividing a community
After the Bessemer City Council voted 5-2 to rezone nearly 700 acres of agricultural land for the “hyperscale” server farm, a dissenting council member said city officials who signed non-disclosure agreements weren’t being transparent with citizens.
