Animal Collective announces new album and shares lead single ‘Soul Capturer’

Animal Collective, the experimental rock quartet known for their innovative soundscapes, has announced their forthcoming album, Isn’t It Now?, set for release on September 29, 2023, via Domino Records. This marks their twelfth studio album and follows their 2022 release, Time Skiffs. The band—Avey Tare, Panda Bear, Deakin, and Geologist—collaborated with Grammy-winning producer Russell Elevado, renowned for his work with artists like D’Angelo and The Roots, to co-produce and mix the album.

The album’s opening track, “Soul Capturer,” serves as an anthem for the existential malaise experienced in today‘s digital age. The song reflects on the seductive nature of vices, the allure of the internet, and the emotional toll it can take on individuals. With a runtime of 64 minutes, Isn’t It Now? is the band’s longest album to date, featuring nine tracks that blend anxiety and beauty, nostalgia and progress, sadness and hope.

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In addition to “Soul Capturer,” the album includes the previously released 22-minute epic “Defeat” and “King’s Walk,” a track the band has been performing live for the past few years, including during their 2022 NPR Tiny Desk (Home) Concert. The tracklist for Isn’t It Now? is as follows:

1. 1. Soul Capturer

1. 1. Genie’s Open

1. 1. Broke Zodiac

1. 1. Magicians From Baltimore

1. 1. Defeat

1. 1. Gem & I

1. 1. Stride Rite

1. 1. All The Clubs Are Broken

1. 1. King’s Walk

Fans can pre-order the album in various formats, including limited edition orchid and tangerine vinyl, standard black vinyl, CD, and digital copies. Animal Collective’s willingness to push boundaries and experiment with extended compositions is evident in this release, showcasing their enduring commitment to exploring the vast landscape of musical creativity.