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Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper
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Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper Image
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 34 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 102 Ratings

  • Summary: The fifth full-length studio release for the Animal Collective co-founder was co-produced with Peter Kember.
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Boys Latin
Beasts don't have a sec to think But we don't appreciate our things Dark cloud descended again Has a dark cloud descended again Has a dark cloud... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 34
  3. Negative: 0 out of 34
  1. AllMusic
    Jan 27, 2015
    90
    Striking a balance between hypnotic pop and cloudy soul-searching, the album delivers all the ends of the spectrum Lennox has spent years perfecting, giving fully realized and refreshingly jubilant examples of a type of pop music so distinctive to its creator, he ends up in a class by himself.
  2. Paste Magazine
    Jan 13, 2015
    85
    To say Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper is a textural album is probably stating the obvious, but it very much is, in a way where the individual tracks feel simultaneously adventurous and tamed.
  3. Pretty Much Amazing
    Jan 12, 2015
    83
    It’s frequently arrestingly beautiful (“Selfish Gene”) or driven nearly wild with joy (raucous party-starter “Mr Noah”), but always with a visceral, off-kilter kick where Panda Bear’s last pair of full-lengths opted for heavenly effervescence or communal transcendence.
  4. NOW Magazine
    Jan 7, 2015
    80
    On first listen, the album as a whole seems repetitious--there aren't any 12-minute odysseys like on breakout album Person Pitch--but its diversity reveals itself with multiple listens.
  5. DIY Magazine
    Jan 9, 2015
    80
    Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper is dense, slippery, wily, and flung together effortlessly like a meticulously rehearsed sleight of hand. Boy, is it worth the legwork.
  6. Consequence
    Jan 6, 2015
    75
    Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper rides high on his proven strengths, but doesn’t exactly explore new territory.
  7. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Jan 14, 2015
    60
    As it stands, the album sounds like Panda Bear at the height of his unchecked, uncompromised (and, therefore, at times uninventive) powers.

See all 34 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 14
  3. Negative: 2 out of 14
  1. Tejena
    Sep 23, 2015
    10
    It's worth to give it a try, it's beautiful! I like that Noah Lennox takes some risks in his albums, his capacity to experiment is absolutelyIt's worth to give it a try, it's beautiful! I like that Noah Lennox takes some risks in his albums, his capacity to experiment is absolutely impressive.… Expand
  2. ollie44
    Jan 23, 2015
    10
    Superb , fantastic melodies under the pulsing whoozing beats . Noah is an original and extremely talented artist in his own right.

    'Boys    Superb , fantastic melodies under the pulsing whoozing beats . Noah is an original and extremely talented artist in his own right.

    'Boys Latin' - Ear worm alert , WOW

    To be honest I haven't heard anything as good and I adore this 'genre ' :)    … Expand
  4. LUISBENAVIDES
    Apr 28, 2015
    10
    Fantastic album. Great textures, great harmonies, touching lyrics...nobody in the game can do what Noah does here...they may try, but theyFantastic album. Great textures, great harmonies, touching lyrics...nobody in the game can do what Noah does here...they may try, but they keep failing.
    You might not like it or think that it is overrated...but the honesty that you find here...no other artist will give it to you.    … Expand
  5. Bananaguy1718
    Jan 20, 2015
    7
    I just recently discovered the genius of Animal Collective's Merriweather Post Pavilion, and so hearing about a solo album by a co-founder, II just recently discovered the genius of Animal Collective's Merriweather Post Pavilion, and so hearing about a solo album by a co-founder, I was quite excited. Also Panda Bear certainly knows what he's doing with this record, he overuses a very specific, watery effect in almost every song, and to an extent loses the catchy-ness of Animal Collective. He delivers an interesting album, which I will listen to a few more times before forming a full opinion, but this is my first reaction.… Expand
  6. asjklasjklas
    Mar 21, 2015
    7
    Noah Lennox has created his catchiest record since Animal Collective’s 2009 cult classic Merriweather Post Pavilion—Panda Bear Meets the GrimNoah Lennox has created his catchiest record since Animal Collective’s 2009 cult classic Merriweather Post Pavilion—Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper exercises experimentation, hypnotic hooks, and some of Lennox’s shortest song lengths he’s ever recorded to make mostly solid psychedelic pop gems that’ll ingrain themselves into your brain, with or without your consent. Particularly “Mr. Noah”, it’s a highlight that starts out in distorted eerie moans that transition into Lennox’s center aye-aye-aye hook that’ll have you singing for days. It’s not his most memorable entry to date, but it doesn’t disappoint once you realize Grim Reaper is practically its own universe in comparison to his previous projects.

    Overall rating: 7.7    … Expand
  7. CallumOKeeffe
    Jan 16, 2015
    6
    On the outset, Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper presents a dense, vibrant and colourful selection of catchy synth rock and pop however withOn the outset, Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper presents a dense, vibrant and colourful selection of catchy synth rock and pop however with time loses steam, revealing the more repetitive and uninspiring nature of the songs. At it's best it is an enjoyable album however the amount of forgettable and dull tracks, I found, outweighed those that were good. I'd still recommend giving it a listen especially if you really enjoyed the two singles.… Expand
  8. jyo_tirmaya
    Jan 20, 2015
    2
    I can appreciate the energy that was put into this music, but it's too busy, and I hate it when I can't understand at least a little of whatI can appreciate the energy that was put into this music, but it's too busy, and I hate it when I can't understand at least a little of what the frontman is singing. It's like the sound musicians make who can't write real songs...… Expand

See all 14 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

79
#79 Best Album of 2015
80
#80 Most Discussed Album of 2015