For over two decades, Noah Lennox—better known as Panda Bear and one-fourth of Animal Collective—has been a sonic shapeshifter. From the hypnotic loops of his early solo work to the full-band approach of his latest album Sinister Grift, Lennox has built a career out of bending his influences into something fresh, unpredictable, and entirely his own.
His love affair with music started with a simple yet fateful stack of records gifted by his father. Tower of Power, The Beatles, James Brown—heavy hitters by any measure. At the time, young Lennox had dabbled in piano and cello, but it wasn’t until these records landed in his lap that the idea of making his own music took hold.
A Korg 01 keyboard changed everything. “It was the first instrument I really connected with—like a friend,” Lennox says. It became his gateway to making music.
Lennox later worked at a New York record store, a crash course in musical taste courtesy of his opinionated co-workers. “The best part of record shops is the exchange—what you love, what you hate,” he says. “I worked with serious music heads and got totally schooled.” And really, what better way to refine your taste than arguing over deep cuts behind a dusty counter?
With Sinister Grift released on February 28th 2025 via Domino Recordings, it’s clear that Lennox has no plans to stop evolving. Whether he’s looping samples, building soundscapes, or embracing the raw energy of a full band, one thing is certain: he’ll keep finding ways to surprise us.
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