Panchiko have announced their third studio album, Chimera, set to arrive April 9th via Nettwerk. To build up anticipation, they have also shared its lead single, “One Car Hits Another,” featuring Mei Semones. Stream it below.
Recorded at the British band’s own studio, the 12-song LP moves through and beyond shoegaze, hip-hop, pop, and even balladry. In addition to contributions from Semones on three songs, the tracklist also features guest appearances by billy woods, Cotillon, Clarion, Hugh Pascall, Korea Girl, Abby Sage, CJ’s Mirra Maze, and Lula Nova.
“One Car Hits Another” stacks distorted textures and cosmic melodies atop one another, fusing the best qualities of Britpop with indie rock as we know it today.
“I imagined a serene waltz of a car crash, whilst onlookers and soon-to-be roadkill alike all sing along watching the slow motion collision unfold,” Panchiko’s Andy Wright said in a statement. “A hand shake, or a car crash, the matter of fact news report describing the incident never makes it clear where the true devastation lies… one car hits another… one hand shakes another; they’re both meetings, technically.”
The announcement marks another chapter in Panchiko’s unlikely comeback. Formed in Nottingham in the late 1990s, the band initially faded into obscurity before a copy of their early release D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L surfaced in a charity shop in 2016. Its subsequent circulation online eventually led fans to track down the original members, prompting their reunion and a new wave of popularity.
Panchiko are currently touring the UK and Ireland, with stops at London’s Roundhouse and Dublin’s Vicar Street. Additional dates are expected to be announced soon.
Chimera Artwork:
Chimera Tracklist:
1. Day One (feat. billy woods, Cotillon)
2. One Car Hits Another (feat. Mei Semones)
3. Runtime
4. Glas Lands
5. Overwrite (feat. Clarion)
6. Glazing (feat. Mei Semones, Hugh Pascall)
7. Zinc Spark (feat. Korea Girl, Mei Semones)
8. Chimera (feat. Abby Sage, CJ’s Mirra Maze)
9. Passing (feat. Lula Nova)
10. Giorgia (feat. Clarion)
11. Swallowing Keys
12. Trickle