Sean O’Hagan has announced Hey Panda, the 11th album by his group The High Llamas, which will be out March 29 via Drag City. This will be the first High Llamas album since 2016’s Here Come the Rattling Trees and while his melodies remain influenced by Brian Wilson, tropicalia, Morricone and Steely Dan, O’Hagan cites Tierra Whack, Tyler the Creator and other forward-thinking artists as influences on the decidedly modern-sounding production. Contributors include Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, who O’Hagan collaborated with on a Billie Eilish cover a couple years ago, as well as Rae Morris and Sean’s daughter Livvy.
You can hear the modern palette on Hey Panda‘s sunny title track. “I spent lockdown and recovery as a TikTok fan of a Panda bear who ate giant carrots every day,” says O’Hagan. “It made me so happy. I think as crazy as TikTok is, it also fosters a community, especially between us and animals… not sure if the animals know. I wanted it to be a Khalid meets Disclosure tune. The subs picking up every beat. But as it’s High Llamas… the key changes are there…sorry.”
Watch the “Hey Panda” video below.
HEY PANDA:
Hey Panda
Fall Off the Mountain
Bade Amey
Sisters Friends
How the Best Was Won
The Grade
Yoga Goat
Stone Cold Slow
Toriafan
Hungriest Man
The Water Moves
La Masse