I am listening to Animal Collective’s Painting With. I’m writing thoughts I have about the album as I listen, so it will likely be scattered and unorganized. Definitely not a review. This is my fourth listen of their most recent album. It is a huge jump from their 2012 expirimental pyschedelic pop album Centipede Hz. Painting With has a playful energy that doesn’t slow down. The first track, FloriDada, is a high energy, catchy tune that has been in my head since it came out as the lead single. It leads into Hocus Pocus, sung by Panda Bear. His echoing vocals are reminiscent of Boys Latin, a track from his most recent album Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper. 

The album is fast paced, percussive, with catchy hooks and odd munchy synthesizers. Verticle is a groovy song. Avey Tare leads, no effects on his vocals. Panda Bear sings backups. The harmonies often remind me of The Beatles, and Panda Bear’s vocal resemblance to Brian Wilson adds to the 60’s vibes. 

One of my favorite songs on the album is The Burglars. Avey Tare and Panda Bear spit out fast vocals over wild synth bass. Overall it’s a fun album with infectious melodies and enough energy to get you pumped up. My only complaint is that it never slows down, and I am a big fan of slow Animal Collective jams. And though it is a great record, I dought that Animal Collective will ever produce another album amounting to the emotional complexity of their golden era- Feels, Strawberry Jam, and Merriweather Post Pavilion.