Released: 2023
Genres: Neo-Psychedelia, Psychedelic Pop
The Musiquarium’s Isn’t It Now? Review Score: 7 out of 10
After 2016’s dreadful Painting With, Animal Collective took an extended hiatus, not releasing another proper studio album until Time Skiffs in 2022. That last album was fairly good, but lacked that little something that made the band’s classic albums so special. It felt like Animal Collective, but sobered up and without the childlike wonder of their seminal releases.
Isn’t It Now? is very similar to its predecessor, where it foregoes much of the psychedelic-fuelled experimentation of the band’s classic albums, but it does still feature some enchanting songs, like the 22 minute-long Defeat. Soul Capturer is also quite whimsical as an opener. As for some of the lesser songs, Gem & I is fine, but sounds like the Wii shop music and All the Clubs Are Broken sounds like late seventies Beach Boys. King’s Walk doesn’t really do much as a closer, unfortunately.
There is some nice instrumentation on Isn’t It Now?, and nothing offensive to the ears like what was on Painting With, but like its immediate predecessor, this album just doesn’t captivate the way Animal Collective once did.
For credit breakdowns and historic release details, view Animal Collective on Discogs.
Back to the 2023 Album Guide or the Animal Collective Reviews page.
Written by Brett Nippard
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