‘Ginkgo’ Grows Panchiko to New Heights

Almost a decade after the internet discovered and revived Panchiko, the ‘90s shoegaze band has ditched the sound that initially made them alluring.

Released April 4, “Ginkgo” is Panchiko’s second studio album, boasting new pop-focused harmonies alongside their signature alternative rock sound.

After an anonymous 4chan user discovered a “D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L” CD at a thrift store and posted a photo of the album online, the disc — riddled with rot — captivated internet interest, triggering a search for the missing artist. In 2020, Panchiko reunited after learning about the online manhunt and rereleased the mixtape.

Since returning, Panchiko hasn’t rehashed the light-weight sounds of  “D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L,” opting instead for more basic indie rock tones. 

Chopped radio frequencies smoothly transition listeners into “Florida,” where mellow synths and hushed vocals create an airy atmosphere reminiscent of their debut mixtape released in 2000.

Released as a single, “Ginkgo” maintains a captivating rhythm of oscillating piano and guitar melodies. Named after the Ginkgo biloba — a tree with anxiety-reducing properties — the lyrics use the plant as a euphemism for psychedelic drug abuse.

“You command the leaves to fall / The gingko bends at will / I like things that keep their state / I always get my fill,” frontman Owain Davies sings. 

The ensuing “Shandy in the Graveyard” presents another bold change to the band’s established guitar-heavy sound. Grim warbles and reversed chords abruptly pull listeners out of the exuberant “Ginkgo.” Featuring rapper Billy Woods of hip-hop duo Armand Hammer, the trip-hop track fuses both artists at their best. 

Consistency is a rarity on the 13-track album, as “Honeycomb” indulges itself in pop tones similar to “Gingko.”

The lively electronic synths descend against the heavy bass melody sounds ripped out of a video game. The amp vocals dissipate after the first verse, mirroring lyrics about growth and change.

“Shelled and Cooked” is a short acoustic interlude that offers a quiet pause after the long stretch of high energy tracks. Though effective in theory, the acoustic instrumentation feels out of place.

The ensuing “Lifestyle Trainers” and “Chapel of Salt” follow similar formulas.

Starting with soft instrumentals punctuated by the occasional electronic pulse, the tracks erupt in a thunderous cascade of guitars and drawn-out vocals.

The distant words and muted guitars of “Vinegar” are tragically held back by the track’s amateurish vibe. Davies’ inflection is jarringly evocative of singer Alex Turner, making “Vinegar” sound more akin to an Arctic Monkeys demo, but little is done to differentiate the song.

Released March 14, “Mac’s Omelette” returns Panchiko to their traditional alt-rock sound. The meandering piano-led melody in the verse collapses into a lush, guitar-fueled chorus reminiscent of Radiohead’s “Exit Music (For A Film),” from their 1997 album “OK Computer.”

Like “Shelled and Cooked,” “Subtitles” is an acoustic interlude that builds on its predecessor with various woodwinds and bells, creating a more dynamic listening experience. However, it still suffers from out-of-place composition.

Previously released on 2020’s “Ferric Oxide (Demos 1997-2001),” “Formula” is a fully realized rendition of the once-acoustic track — though it seems like Panchiko overdid it.

Drenched in glitchy distortion, “Formula” obscures its lyrics beneath layers of noise, much like the demo.

“Rise and Fall” is another lowlight, rehashing the bleak arrangement of “Shandy in the Graveyard.” While this makes the track feel like filler, it’s still a solid listen with its hazy atmosphere and layered production.

One final genre change concludes the 13-track album. With a funk-infused intro and orchestral bridge, the juxtaposed sounds of “Innocent” should create a dissonant and upsetting finale to the album, yet Panchiko executes it seamlessly.

Blending upbeat harmonies with dulcet refrains, the melody captures the dynamic movement permeating through the entire album.

While each track tries something new, they culminate in a pop-rock record oozing with character and originality.

“Ginkgo” is available on all major streaming platforms.