Gold Panda: Half of Where You Live

The follow-up to producer Derwin Schleker’s Mercury nominated 2010 debut, Lucky Shiner, is a superb collection of atmospheric electro that will likely earn him another raft of glowing reviews. The tone on Half Of Where You Live is set with the excellent opener, ‘Junk City II’, which masterfully blends a thumping electro rhythm with cut-up beats, dreamy effects and oriental ambience.
Indeed, there’s a distinct eastern flavour throughout, perhaps unsurprising when you consider that Shlecker at one time lived in Japan. However, he has said that a trip to Brazil was the inspiration for the track of the same name, and that the tune reflects “the disparity between old Brazil and the new economically prosperous country.” It’s a wonderfully hypnotic effort which boasts a throbbing rhythm, a vocal sample repeating the title and some deliciously glitchy beats.
Elsewhere, Gold Panda excels himself with the otherworldly ‘An English House’, the Aphex Twin-like ambience of ‘S950’ and the irresistible quirkly electro of ‘Community’. One of the finest electronic albums of the year.

Key Track: 'Brazil'