The Work marks Derwin Dickers return to the Gold Panda moniker after releases by a number of side projects, including Selling, his collaboration with Simian Mobile Discos Jas Shaw. The album also arrives after Dicker sobered up, became a father, and devoted several years to therapy and self-care. Reflective of his self-improvement process and the path his life has taken so far, The Work is a busy, stylistically varied album that unmistakably retains the sonic hallmarks of Gold Pandas earlier releases. Hes still fond of rapid, glitchy cut-ups of acoustic instruments and swelling emotions, and the songs largely take shape in the form of dreamy downtempo instrumentals. Early standout "The Corner" is a sorrowful hip-hop track with rippling synth rushes, anchored by an ear-catching sample ("cause more often than not Im down here on the corner"). "Ive Felt Better (Than I Do Now)" is the albums most joyous moment, with ecstatic kick drums and tightly clipped samples, leaving a little room to cool down during the songs gorgeous bridge. "Plastic Future" has steadily clapping beats but isnt as heavy, and its downcast strings and fizzing synths put it in a more contemplative state of mind. "I Spiral" seems to exist in Gold Pandas comfort zone of vinyl crackle and sampled folk instruments, yet it grows increasingly complex, and theres a strange flash when everything goes still for a few seconds. "Chrome" also centers around koto-like plucks and melodies forged from reversed samples, and the unsteady beats gradually become more splintered until they dissolve into static at the end. The Work is Gold Pandas most honest, emotionally direct release. ~ Paul Simpson

Rovi