ANIMAL COLLECTIVE

Isn’t It Now? (Domino)

Animal Collective ended their six-year absence last year with Time Skiffs, a return to form that reminded us of their best work. Wasting no time, they’ve released Isn’t It Now? – their 12th album overall.

Opener Soul Capturer’s jangly guitars bring about the familiar Animal Collective sound, and could have easily fit on a past album of theirs such as Feels. The songs here are unmistakably AC, which could put off those hoping for something radically different this far into their career.

The closest thing we get to radically different however is the track Defeat – a slow-burning 21-minute piece, sandwiched right in the middle of the album. It’s a bold move for sure, but the track feels too long and slows Isn’t It Now?’s momentum; you’re likely to skip it on repeat listens. These issues aside, it’s another solid effort from a band that were away for too long.

words MATT LEE