Artist Spotlight: Panda Eyes

Panda Eyes is a producer from Zurich, Sweden who specializes in emotional and immersive songs that combine influences from anime, video games, and the snowy climate in which he is from to create a unique sound all his own.

In October of 2019, I was attending my first semester at Grand Canyon University and went on a trip to Newport Beach with an on-campus club that did not go well. On the way back to Phoenix (somewhere around Blythe) the Spotify algorithm blessed me with one of its best recommendations to date: “Highscore” by Terminite and Panda Eyes. This song completely changed the course of that bus ride and sent me down a rabbit hole of Panda Eyes’ music. Hearing some of his songs takes me back to my first year at GCU and reminds me of the winter break trips I would take at the conclusion of the semester.

The song begins with a tone akin to a flag being slowly raised over a digital landscape, while the sun rises in unison to keyboard notes. A soft, pixelated call to battle can be heard as the song continues to escalate in volume and complexity. This song is dripping in nostalgia and Deja Vu, bringing me to a place I’m sure that I have been, but cannot fully remember. It is mesmerizing for a piece of music to have this kind of effect on you. There are also a lot of transitions and little sonic changes to keep you invested in listening to his music and create an immersive, memorable experience. Panda Eyes is a master of his craft and his music takes me to places that few other DJs can, freely traveling through dimensions, portals, and video game levels without a care. Absolutely stunning.

“Lonely Island” is an exquisite brain massage of track that is soothing and melodic in all of the right ways. Panda Eyes’ Chiptune influences are very prominent in this one, transporting us to a beautiful digital realm that is hard to leave. Gorgeous vocal samples are weaved throughout the melodic beat effortlessly, like a starry quilt above the island depicted on the album cover. Claps and steady drums keep us grounded as the song continues to bob and weave in a dream-like state. The nostalgia that shines through Panda Eyes’ production choices is like a comforting hug, and this song is no exception Try listening to this one on a bad day. I think you will feel better.

There are a few honorable mentions that I would like to acknowledge in order to properly conclude this Artist Spotlight. “Lucid Dream,” a collaboration with Geoxor, perfectly lives up to its title and is the sonic equivalent of a snowy, calming Swiss evening. I have never heard an artist so perfectly capture the region that they are from within their discography. “Can’t Move (Feat Mindy)” has ATTITUDE, and I am totally here for it. This song is vastly different from the previous three mentioned in just about every way, showing off PE’s dynamic range as an artist. Mindy’s sassy, effective verses tell a tale of overcoming mental paralysis and indecision to simply not care what others think of you, which is a message that I think we can all get behind. PE’s bassy production is the perfect company to Mindy’s lyrics and flow. Well done. Last but not least, “Back Again” is an empowering song that does not hold back by any means. Like a lot of his songs, this one is melodic yet still reaches euphoric highs. The melody absolutely goes OFF around the two minute mark, leading to an epic breakdown. The nostalgia is especially palpable here and will take to on a journey to revisit some of the best moments of your life.

Panda Eyes has amassed over 400,000,000 streams over various platforms, and is even followed by Gordon Ramsay on Twitter, which is an accomplishment all its own. He is not currently touring from what I can see, but this can easily change in the future. Keep an eye out for what this incredible artist does in the future. You will not be disappointed.

Connect with Panda Eyes: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | SoundCloud