Panda Bear & Sonic Boom

Sonic Boom and Panda Bear’s second album together, A ? of WHEN, keeps the playful spirit of Reset while opening new sonic territory. Built from harp loops, steel drums, pedal steel, and even touches of mariachi, the record feels like a vibrant musical playground, full of unexpected textures and bold choices—including Panda Bear’s unlikely yodel. Yet beneath its bright, adventurous sound lies a sharper view of the present moment. Across 10 songs, the duo reflects on online fatigue, political confusion, ecological anxiety, and the need for compassion and human connection in uncertain times. Rather than retreating into nostalgia, they transform unease into inventive, joyful music. A ? of WHEN is both playful and purposeful: an album that reclaims unusual sounds, embraces experimentation, and turns the weight of the world into something warm, communal, and alive.