Noah Benjamin Lennox, also known by his moniker Panda Bear, announced a new EP titled A Day With the Homies, out January 12 as a vinyl-only release via Domino Records. Lennox, who is also the co-founding member of the experimental pop band Animal Collective, used the latter’s Instagram to release a lengthy statement regarding the EP, providing some insight on the inspiration for the record. “The songs aren’t lyrically linear or narrative as such, though I did scatter pieces of longer-chewed themes across the tracks. I find they still work satisfactorily alone, but strengthen each other’s messages when combined.” He adds, “I hoped to make something without frills or much embellishment, principally because I’ve found more fluff tends to equal less power.”

A Day With the Homies is Panda Bear’s first record since 2015 when he released Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper and an EP, Crosswords. Animal Collective released an LP titled Painting With last year. Panda Bear has already shared the lyrics to “Flight,” one of five songs on the new EP. See the tracklist and Panda Bear’s full statement on the release below.

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— Panda Bear (@pandabear) November 17, 2017

pic.twitter.com/Fuyyy6iqE3 — Noah Lennox (@P4N748E42) November 18, 2017

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— Noah Lennox (@P4N748E42) November 20, 2017

pic.twitter.com/RTvsNIp02E — Noah Lennox (@P4N748E42) November 21, 2017

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— Panda Bear (@pandabear) November 19, 2017

It’s been my perception that these things tend to homogenize experience so I hope you’ll forgive me if I don’t outline, in any specific way, the many choices involved in its creation. I appreciate your role as filter or translator, and by withholding my own blueprints for the album, I mean to encourage and cultivate your part in its trip. There are, however, a couple of things I think might easily go unnoticed without mention, and the existence of these things, I’d wager, are important to the music’s success. The songs aren’t lyrically linear or narrative as such, though I did scatter pieces of longer-chewed themes across the tracks. I find they still work satisfactorily alone, but strengthen each other’s messages when combined. It’s not often anymore I find something specific to my life that feels worthwhile setting to song for others to consume. It’s a tough sell convincing myself that my own troubles warrant as much attention as those we all share. The strokes of the messages themselves are broad enough, then, that I think anybody can find a familiar face, if they care to look. I hoped to make something without frills or much embellishment, principally because I’ve found more fluff tends to equal less power. Since the juiciest action is entirely focused in the deeper zones of the frequency spectrum (at least from where I’ve sat), power was key. The lion’s share of the noise is centered, or nearly, so both speakers get a taste. This is another nod towards power, but it also means HOMIES doesn’t work in the same way through headphones as it does out in the air. My greatest hope with this stuff is for it to live like my favorite songs do, which is to say like comforts or companions. Thank you very much for listening and I hope “A Day With the Homies” can mean something to you. My best to you and yours. Noah A Day With The Homies 12″ EP is out January 12th and will be a vinyl-only release (link in bio)

A post shared by Animal Collective (@anmlcollective) on Nov 21, 2017 at 7:02am PST

A Day With the Homies tracklist:
Side A
1. Flight
2. Part of the Math
Side B
3. Shepard Tone
4. Nod to the Folks
5. Sunset

UPDATE (1/8): Panda Bear has announced a limited run of tour dates in support of the upcoming vinyl-only 12″ A Day With The Homies. Animal Collective member Geologist will be the opening act.

04/02 – MANCHESTER, UK – Gorilla
04/03 – LONDON, UK – Village Underground
04/05 – PARIS, FR – Trabendo
04/06 – BRUGES, BELGIUM – More Music Festival
04/26 – DALLAS, TX – Canton Hall *
04/27 – AUSTIN, TX – Levitation @ Mohawk *
04/30 – CHICAGO, IL – Thalia Hall *
05/01 – DETROIT, MI – Majestic Theatre *
05/02 – TORONTO, ON – Phoenix Concert Theatre *
05/04 – BOSTON, MA – Paradise Rock Club *
05/05 – BROOKLYN, NY – Brooklyn Steel *
05/06 – PHILADELPHIA, PA – Union Transfer *
05/07 – WASHINGTON DC – 9:30 Club *
05/09 – CHAPEL HILL, NC – Cat’s Cradle *
05/10 – ATLANTA, GA – Variety Playhouse *

* w/ Geologist as special guest

Photo Credit: Owen Ela