U.K. producer Gold Panda makes songs, not beats. He made a name for himself remixing songs from the likes of Bloc Party, The Field, and others. And now, he’s released a debut album, the stunningly beautiful Lucky Shiner.

Lucky Shiner is an emotional record, and its sounds are organic. Gold Panda says he wrote it after “touring, mixing, moving houses and splitting with a girlfriend.” A flurry of bells kicks off “Same Dream China,” one of the album’s standout tracks. And “You,” a versatile song that can both force a smile or a welling of tears, masterfully samples sped-up vocals. If you detect Asian influences, you’d be correct. Gold Panda is a lover of Japanese culture and studied at School of Oriental and Asian Studies (SOAS) in London.

Gold Panda’s Lucky Shiner has already nabbed itself a spot as one of my favorite records of the year. If given a chance, I bet it’ll find its way to some of your year end lists, too.

You can listen to “You” — and the rest of Lucky Shiner — below, or you can buy it at The Ghostly Store.

Gold Panda will be playing several shows as part of his 2010 CMJ Music Marathon circuit, so New Yorkers, take notice.

10/18 AOL Spinner show (streamed live at 8:30PM EST) – invite only
10/21 Pitchfork Showcase, 9:00pm, 61 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn
10/ 22 Webster Hall w/Fourtet show 7.00pm, Webster Hall, 156 Ludlow St
10/23 Fixed party , TBC (evening show) 70 N 6th Street, Brklyn
10/23 Urban Outfitters (daytime event, TBC 12-6) Soho Store, 575 Broadway, NYC

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