Panama - Hope for Something EP

Panama
Hope for Something EP
2017
Spotify

Like a lot of people I am sure I came to Panama from their song "Always" a Classixx remix of the tune in particular. It was bright, electronic and had this really special vocal tone. Part of that could be the reason it has been played over 20 million times on Spotify. It has been awhile since we've heard from Panama with the Always EP coming out in 2014 but the crest of summer is the perfect moment for this sweeping synthpop record. The bright tones are coupled with emotional lyrics dealing with heartache, overcoming demons and waiting patiently for something good to come. It is projects that idea of a hopeful summer even knowing what may be coming when it starts to get colder. The title track Hope for Something really sets a high bar early with this great song about being patient. The line "Know something good takes time anyway" is said with such conviction and such confidence that you can easily by right in. In an interview Jarrah McCleary mentioned that he worked with Classixx and Filip Nikolic and Poolside to produce this record and you can hear it right away on "The Highs" which has this very tropical yet almost dancehall electronic vibe. McClearly really channels James Blake vocally on "The Highs" but it is so much brighter and so much bigger taking you to peak after peak.

The whole EP is so full of great moments that describing them all feels like a fool's errand. You almost just need to hear the whole thing start to finish to really get it. It's the splashy keyboard on "Your Love (Lift Us Up", or the layers of sound on "Hope for Something" but time after time Panama manages to connect the dots so fucking well. "I Watched You Slip" is the funkiest number on the record but it has such a delicate touch. There is such a fine line in making something feel soft but not overly delicate that twee status that is so weird feeling, but Panama does that expertly. Being only five tracks the message is able to stay concise. McCleary could probably turn this into a full record but it seems like it would feel diluted, and Panama seems to be content working in the EP format. In the end just a really solid record and perfect for your summer playlist. Do not miss this one.

8.8 out of 10