Animal Collective may not be a new name in the music industry, but the four-piece band never fails to deliver new and exciting additions to their discography. Animal Collective has announced September 29th as the release of their newest studio album Isn’t It Now? via Domino. At 64 minutes, this is the band’s longest album yet. All at once, the tracks uniquely blend a dual experience of anxiety and beauty, nostalgia and progress, and utter ambiversion. 

The quartet of Avey Tare, Panda Bear, Deakin, and Geologist have been a team for over two decades, forming in Baltimore in 1999. Animal Collective's summer of 2019 residency in Tennessee led to the creation of two records, with nine songs becoming the 2022 release Time Skiffs. The rest of the tracks were saved for a collaboration with the Grammy-winning producer Russell Elevado, who added his signature flair to the band's experimental sound. 

In late 2021, they spent two weeks in New York recording with Elevado, who is best known for his work with artists such as D’Angelo and The Roots. Elevado co-produced and mixed the album which came to be Isn't It Now? The album strives past a solely auditory experience, creating a space of internal and communal reflection. Combining familiarity with novelty, Isn’t It Now? Features the band's previously released piece titled “Defeat.” This 22-minute musical composition roughly makes up 34% of the album's run time. “Defeat” hosts collaborations with artists such as violinist Samara Lubelski, cellist Leila Bordreuil, saxophonist Ben Chapoteau-Katz as well as production by Elevado.

Animal Collective’s most recent release is the first of the nine songs on the album—“Soul Capturer,” a reflective and existential anthem. The song is sewn together with themes of seduction and temptation to be interpreted by the listener while playing to an overall theme of online malaise. The tail end of the album however, features a recorded version of the “King’s Walk,” a fan favorite that the band has been performing live over the years. 

The original album art displays an eye-grabbing collage of layered papers and quilted patterns, posing the question Isn’t it Now? upon a piece of orange paper. The cover was created by no other than Dave Portner – more commonly known as Animal Collective’s very own Avey Tare. 

The electronic album is now available for pre-save, while the physical vinyl is available for pre-order. 

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