Album Review: Panda Bear & Sonic Boom – A ? Of WHEN

Four years after Reset, Panda Bear (Noah Lennox) and Sonic Boom (Pete Kember) return with a record that subtly rebuilds their collaborative sound. While Reset leaned heavily on loops sampled from 1950s and 1960s pop recordings, A ? of WHEN starts from scratch. Harp loops recorded from Mary Lattimore’s soundcheck serve as the foundation for several songs, while steel drums, pedal steel and even fragments of a mariachi band expand the duo’s sonic palette. The Beach Boys influence remains unmistakable, with Lennox layering his harmonies into lush vocal stacks, but the music surrounding them is more adventurous than before, weaving in unexpected touches like baritone vocals, distant yodeling and hints of spaghetti western soundtracks.

“Like a Moth to a Flame” is the album’s undeniable centerpiece and among the dreamiest songs Lennox has recorded. Layer upon layer of instrumentation builds toward a modern take on Phil Spector’s wall of sound, creating an arrangement that feels rich without becoming overwhelming. In contrast, “Somethin’ That Lasts” embraces restraint. Lattimore’s harp falls gently between pedal steel and soft synthesizers, creating a warm, almost weightless atmosphere while the lyrics quietly search for permanence in an increasingly uncertain world.

The title track serves as the album’s emotional thesis. A distant siren hums beneath an inviting melody while the lyrics acknowledge that consequences eventually arrive, whether personal, political or environmental. That tension defines much of the record. The songs grapple with online burnout, ecological anxiety and societal instability, yet Panda Bear and Sonic Boom never allow those themes to become oppressive. Instead, they approach uncertainty with optimism, suggesting that patience, compassion and resilience remain worthwhile responses even when the future feels unpredictable.

That outlook extends to the album’s presentation. By forgoing streaming in favor of vinyl and digital downloads, the duo reinforces the idea that A ? of WHEN is meant to be experienced deliberately rather than passively. The songs reward repeated listening, revealing new textures and subtle production details with every revisit.

While Reset was immediately charming through its nostalgic hooks and familiar samples, A ? of WHEN trades some of that instant accessibility for greater emotional and musical depth. It is a more patient, reflective record that expands the duo’s collaborative chemistry without abandoning the sunny melodies that made their first album together so memorable. Few artists this far into their careers continue to evolve with such curiosity. Even fewer manage to make songs about uncertainty sound this comforting.