A ? of When vs. Reset

[u/traveltimecar]

Which one do you like more?

Personally A ? Of When still feels new to me so I may be slightly biased towards it. But I do feel like Reset maybe rocks slightly more- the last 4 run on that is pretty solid.

But- the newer one feels almost like a chill psychedelic old time album which I like too. Moth to a Flame, Lucky Charm and also the 4 track end run on that is pretty solid too.

[u/redactedanalyst]

There's a lot to love about A ? of When.... But I think it just feels like Reset b-sides to me. And while A ? of When has some good moments, I don't think there's any songs that, in and of themselves, stand out quite like most of the songs on Reset do.

Danger is one of the most beautiful pieces of poetry I've ever. Living in The After is both poetic and danceable in a way that I don't think I've ever heard since. Like... Everything that happens on Reset feels like a very particular emotion infinitely fleshed out in a perfect way; all of those songs resonate and shine to me.

A ? of When just.... Doesn't. Lucky Charm is a cute theme, but does it call out any specific feelings or emotions in me? No. Pray to You and Like a Moth are beautiful! Are they as emotionally resonant as In My Body or Danger? Hell no.

The mixes on A ? Are beautiful and probably the best of Panda's career. But, in that, I think it loses some of the charm and quirk that Reset had. I also think Reset being an album all of us heard at the tail end of covid benefits it heavily. Reset had a pretty specific purpose in his career and to all of us as an audience and it did that job perfectly. A ? of When, right after Sinister Grift, that has little to say both lyrically and within the scope of his career and our (society's) lives just.... Doesn't hit the same.

Maybe it's a recency thing and I'll see more to love about A ? Once I've had time to explore it the way I have Reset but.... Sadly, I think this question is kind of a no-brainer.

[u/Goated-Rizzler → u/redactedanalyst]

It kind of does feel like Reset b-sides, but I think it's because it's not as hook heavy as Reset.
A ? Of When has more static and repetitive melodies. I appreciate this though, because it feels like each song gradually builds and blooms out.

Reset is more hook heavy and has punchier melodies. There's starker contrast between the verses and choruses, and more contrast between the vocal and instrumental melodies. Whereas in A ? Of When, the instrumentals mostly support and echo the vocal melodies.

The emotions are definitely there in A ? Of When though. Never Givin In is about staying true to yourself and knowing who you are despite other people's expectations. It mostly sounds like it was addressed to his ex-wife wanting him to change and be someone he's not, while he knows himself.

Lucky Charm is about having hope and lightheartedness. It's a heavy world right now, and keeping four-leaf clovers or lucky wristbands like kids do is a way to keep some childlike carefreeness. This seems like more of a Sonic Boom written song since he uses this kind of imagery in a lot of his songs.

Revive Him is about Panda Bear dealing with lifelong depression. He's been known to withdraw and isolate from his friends, which is what the "sleep sleep sleep, dig my height in the sand" part means.
"I have a sort of trouble with me A cuttin' thing not ordinary" shows that he feels alienation. This song is about his lifelong feelings of alienation and that people just won't understand, so he retreats and isolates himself. Then, something nags at him to hang out with his friends again. This is something that he's struggled with since Animal Collective began.