gold panda The Work (Includes 2 bonus tracks and commentary) [ARTPL-183] Japan M

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Content Introduction London veteran producer Gold Panda returns after 6 years! Gold Panda, the London producer who constructs emotional electronic music that seamlessly traverses his inner landscape and the dance floor, presents his first new album in approximately 6 years! Having gone through the major change of becoming a father, he has completed a bold and playful masterpiece! It's not uncommon for artists to express their personal experiences and growth chronologically through the records they release, but few electronic artists express it as emotionally as Gold Panda. Gold Panda, aka Derwin Dicker's long-awaited 4th full album, "The Work." The title of this album is interesting because it literally describes the record he has been working on for 6 years, but upon closer examination, it also reflects the journey that has taken him to where he is today. "The Work" is a term that is often used in my therapy, and it's a phrase you often hear in books on self-care and mental health. I have practiced therapy, running, Pilates, and osteopathy," he laughs. However, he more succinctly states that in recent years, his main goal has been "self-care and working on myself to understand what's wrong with me and why I'm feeling down." He also says that the birth of his eldest daughter has made it more difficult to find time for himself. Darwin cites a very specific moment when he realized he needed to change both his outlook on life and his self-care. "When I was in Japan, I stayed in a terrible hotel. It only had one window, and that window was in the bathroom. When I stepped out of the hotel room, I was in a huge 24-story tower apartment building with a mesh net stretched across it to prevent people from jumping. I was very depressed and thought, 'Oh my god, I can still jump.'" "I was really hungover," he reveals. "That was my last time getting completely drunk. I like drinking, but I can't stand hangovers, regret, anxiety, or depression. I hadn't performed live sober yet at that time, so I had to overcome something new while being aware of what I was doing in real time. Alcohol gives you a false sense of confidence. And I had to learn to choose to feel the fear and tension, rather than getting drunk to fight or overcome it, and to confront my emotions more." Clearly happy and relaxed both personally and as an artist, he reveals that the biggest catalyst for the ongoing changes is becoming a father. "Now that my daughters have been born, my goal is to keep living," he added. "I never thought I could be happy in my 40s. But I think turning 40 has made me realize what I like and what makes me comfortable, rather than what other people expect me to be." Meeting expectations is reflected in Darwin's new music as well as his personal life, and he is pleased that "The Work" has become his most varied and surprising record to date. "I don't think a lot of the songs will go in the direction you might expect. There's a lot of change, and a lot of things are happening." Each of Gold Panda's records has clearly marked a significant turning point in his life. His debut album, *Lucky Shiner* (2010), reflected his late twenties, a free-spirited, unconventional, and whirlwind work. His next album, *Half of Where You Live* (2013), is a title that perfectly captures his emotional outlook at the time. He pushed the boundaries of music, questioning what it means to be an artist whose reputation is growing and who lives a nomadic life, both personally and professionally. His third album, *Good Luck And Do Your Best* (2016), was a warm reaffirmation of himself and his sound, rooted in his hometown of Essex and Japan, a country he once briefly resided in and frequently visited. And now, six years later, *The Work* is a work that shows the time and care he has taken to reflect on, adapt to, and improve himself and his musical practice, yielding remarkable results. This work evokes the emotional qualities that have characterized his career so far, while also being bolder and more playful. It has clearly had a positive impact on Darwin, who happily reflects on his musical journey up to 2022. "I've always wanted to make 'cool' music, but I can only make the music I make. That's why I think it's difficult to make club music. I don't spend much time in clubs," he laughs. "I don't know where I fit in, and maybe that's a good thing," he laughs. Media reviews and more: London producer Gold Panda, who constructs emotional electronic music that seamlessly traverses his inner landscape and the dance floor, returns with his first new album in approximately six years! Having undergone the significant change of becoming a father, he has completed a bold and playful masterpiece! (C)RS