Animal Collective are back, and after more than half a decade of waiting for a new album (their last full-length was 2016’s Painting With), they have announced their forthcoming LP Time Skiffs. Avey Tare, Deakin, Geologist, and Panda Bear recorded the album over the course of 2020, and it’s set for release on 4th February via Domino. Their first offering from the album is “Prester John”, said to have come about from by weaving together two songs, one written by Avey Tare and one by Panda Bear.
Doused in scuffling, watery textures, the track takes it’s time to unfurl. Keyboard chords plod through the swampy mix as a bass riff adds levity to the proceedings. Soon it becomes starry, uplifted by vocal harmonies, patient snare hits, all forming into a lucid, colourful dream. The band even allow the track to dissolve away into a slowing comedown, with hurdy gurdy and electronics petering out until the song’s end. The colourful, dreamlike feel of the track is captured all to perfectly in the accompanying video directed by Jason Lester, where the band perform under various shades of light and surrounding greenery.
Watch the video for “Prester John” below, or check it out on your favourite streaming service.
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Time Skiffs is out 4th February 2022 on Domino. Stay up to date with Animal Collective via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The band are also heading out on tour this coming spring. The dates are:
03-08 Richmond, VA – The National
03-09 Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
03-11 North Adams, MA – Mass MOCA – Hunter Center
03-12 Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel
03-13 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
03-15 Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club
03-16 Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
03-18 Pittsburgh, PA – Mr. Smalls Theatre
03-19 Detroit, MI – Majestic Theatre
03-20 Chicago, IL – Vic Theatre
03-21 Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
03-23 Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall
03-24 Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works
03/24-03/27 Knoxville, TN – Big Ears Festival
03-26 Atlanta, GA – The Eastern
