Animal Collective
‘Water Curses’ is the latest release from New York based experimentalists Animal Collective. Following on from the rip-roaring, joyous sound explosion that was created by Animal Collective member Panda Bear on last year’s solo outing ‘Person Pitch’, it is their first release as Animal Collective since the success of their seventh studio album ‘Strawberry Jam’.
It is a typically languid trip into the divergent and genre-hopping world of Animal Collective and the results are as verdant as you might expect. Kicking off with the title track, an intoxicating, celebratory head-rush; the material contained within this E.P is sophisticated, spine-tingling and spell-binding. The undoubted high point is the heavenly soundscape ‘Street Flash’ which manages to sound as though it has been lifted directly from the sessions for the Beach Boys lost classic ‘Smile’. It’s slow-burning, celestial charms sprawl over six gloriously languorous minutes and represent a joyous celebration of all that makes Animal Collective such an inspiring and attractive proposition. ‘Cobwebs’ is an equally blissed-out experience, built around an insistent vocal mantra; it builds gradually before an explosion of heavenly gospel organ arrives elevating both the track and listener to a higher place of consciousness. Closing track ‘Seal Eyeing’ is a sleepy, delicate sounding lullaby which brings the E.P to a fitting and natural conclusion. Swathes of minimalist piano provide the perfectly understated accompaniment to the ethereal vocals and the track drifts slowly towards its finale.
The material contained within the E.P is characteristically diverse, unpredictable and vibrant. ‘Water Curses’ provides yet another fascinating addition to the catalogue of one of the most interesting, consistent and beguiling musical ensembles on the planet.