Are Panel the music equivalent of the writers’ writer? The Minneapolis band’s debut A Great Time To Be An Empath came out three weeks ago on Don’t Sing Records/Anxious and Angry yet somehow remained dormant on my listening pile, but after repeatedly seeing the band getting rave recommendations from other artists and people whose taste I trust, I had to see for myself. On my first spin, I was intrigued enough to go for another round. The second spin made me consider writing about and sharing it here, feeling at least two weeks late but whatever. Then I looked up who Panel are. Wow.

Ok, here we go: the songs are written by Annie Sparrows (The Soviettes, Green/Blue, Bermuda Squares, Awesome Snakes), while the band also includes members of The God Damn Doo Wop Band, Strait A’s (Kat Naden), Notches, Visual Learner (Zac Mayeux), Lutheran Heat, and Lifestyle Shakes (Justin Nelles). Sweet!

Third spin in and I fully get the hype. What a cool take on alternative rock and punk this is—with outlier Two Little Dogs, a piano-driven dark lullaby in the middle of the record. At 7 songs and barely 15 minutes, calling this an album is a stretch, but they make every second count.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp || Anxious and Angry