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Sinister Grift is the latest album from Panda Bear, the recording project of Noah Lennox. Recorded in his Lisbon home studio with co-producer Josh "Deakin" Dibb, it's the first time he's invited all his Animal Collective bandmates to feature on a solo record. Further collaborations arrive from Cindy Lee and Spirit of the Beehive's Rivka Ravede.

Lennox describes the album's concept as exploring "a lie that we tell ourselves – that if we plan well enough, we can avoid pain and regret." It's reflected in the gradual tonal shift from sunny pop to reflective introspection. Opening tracks feature bright guitars and playful chord progressions, often with handclaps, claves, or light percussion. Later songs like 'Elegy for Noah Lou' reveal a more plaintive quality.

The overall sound reflects a conscious move to live instrumentation, often captured on analogue tape. Songs blend jangly guitars and drums with layers of reverb, with Lennox’s vocals upfront, stacked in layers of harmony. Extra sounds are supplied by Brian "Geologist" Weitz, bringing electronic textures to the mix.