LOS ANGELES, CA- Los Angeles’ St. Panther has always been hard to pin down, and that’s the point. The Mexican/Colombian artist, producer, rapper, and multi-instrumentalist moves effortlessly between soul, R&B, jazz, hip-hop, and alt-pop, but it’s the charisma in their delivery… sometimes bluesy grit, sometimes silky croon… that makes it stick. Five years after their debut EP These Days, St. Panther is finally back with a new project. Strange World, due November 7 via drink sum wtr, is a six-track EP steeped in groove, honesty, and social reflection.
The first taste of the record comes in the form of its title track, a collaboration with Grammy winner Rae Khalil. Premiered on KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic and paired with a warmhearted video which premier in FLOOD Magazine, “Strange World” is both a reminder of St. Panther’s genre-bending instincts and a nod to the times we’re living in. The refrain… “We’re living in such a strange world / And we’ll never be the same / But I’m still rooting for us”… lands as both a sigh and a mantra.
My first spin of “Strange World” pulled me right into its laid-back groove. There’s a throwback quality here, a kind of early-’90s soul and R&B vibe that hints at the spirit of artists like Bilal and the era production touches of that time. It feels smooth and familiar, yet rooted in the now.
Diving into St. Panther’s catalog after hearing the track, I landed on “These Days,” a standout from five years back that leans into a firmer groove and really showcases their voice. That earlier song highlights the bluesy grit that sets St. Panther apart. By comparison, “Strange World” leans heavily on Rae Khalil’s vocals… a slight drawback if you’re hoping for more of St. Panther’s own signature tone at the center. Still, the collaboration gives the song a communal feel that fits the larger ethos of the project.
Beyond the groove, what gives “Strange World” weight is its social commentary. St. Panther has bars that feel bigger than just a love song: “All they wanna know is your net worth / Is your face card really working?” It’s observational without being preachy, and it weaves reflections on value and belonging into a track that still glides with ease.
For me, that’s what makes this single resonate is that it balances commentary with vibe. The repeated insistence of “I’m still rooting for us” isn’t just about romance, it feels like a wider message of optimism in a messy cultural moment. And if this track is just the opening note of Strange World, it has me genuinely curious to hear where St. Panther takes things next.
The EP tracklist promises a mix of reflection and groove, from “American Dreams” to the closing cut “Whoever Said Silence is Peace.” With longtime collaborator McClenney in the co-producer chair and Erik Bodin of Little Dragon adding organic drums, it sounds like St. Panther has built a record with both community and commentary baked in.
Whether it’s their genre-hopping production or their ability to make a chorus double as a rallying cry, St. Panther is still carving out space on their own terms. Strange World lands November 7, and it already feels like one worth rooting for.
Tracklist
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Brand New
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American Dreams
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Strange World (feat. Rae Khalil)
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Strange World (Outro)
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The Deal
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Whoever Said Silence is Peace
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