8/10

Arriving three years after his much-lauded studio album 'Half Of Where You Live', producer Gold Panda returns to deliver another slice of spun-out electronic harmony with his latest full-length 'Good Luck & Do Your Best'. Inspired by recent visits to Japan, and also using samples and field recordings taken from around the country, this new release seems like more of a concept record that manages to capture a time and place through music and makes an aurally pleasing journey along the way.

The producer has always found himself in the habit of creating these huge-sounding, multi-layered soundscapes that aim to cause a certain reaction with the listener. But it seems that this time, the music is more of a montage of particular areas of sound, improving not only the pace but the general atmosphere of its direction. With a task set behind the music, its left with an extremely focused sound and makes for a very enjoyable listen.

Gold Panda has always had one foot in the commercial field and one in the experimental. While his music remains outside of the pop zeitgeist, you also hear that contemporary influence that stops it feeling too far out there. This is what keeps this record grounded and sees a brilliant return for the man at the centre of it.