Is Painting With a good place to start with Animal Collective?

Yes, Painting With is recommended as a starting point for new Animal Collective listeners. A vibrant tapestry of experimental pop that fuses electronic textures with playful melodies and intricate vocal harmonies. Released in 2016, Painting With is Animal Collective's ninth studio album, coming after the critically acclaimed Centipede Hz. At this point, the band had established a distinct sound characterized by their eclectic approach to songwriting and production, continuing to evolve artistically while maintaining their core identity.

Who is Painting With for?

Painting With works well if you're into playful melodies for upbeat moods, steady flow for focused listening and kaleidoscopic textures to explore.

How many songs are on Painting With?

Painting With has 12 tracks, running approximately 41 minutes.

Released 10 years ago

Painting With

Animal Collective · 2016

41 min · 12 tracks · electronic music

A vibrant tapestry of experimental pop that fuses electronic textures with playful melodies and intricate vocal harmonies.

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Top tracks — play these first

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FloriDada Start here — Opening with frenetic energy, FloriDada encapsulates the album's playful spirit while addressing themes of identity and cultural commentary through its whimsical lyrics.
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Natural Selection — This track stands out for its rhythmic complexity and introspective lyrics, exploring existential themes through a lens of optimism amidst chaos.
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Lying in the Grass — With its lush arrangements and contemplative mood, Lying in the Grass serves as a reflective interlude that deepens the album's emotional resonance.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album showcases inventive soundscapes and cohesive structures, marking it as a strong entry in their discography.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of layered vocal harmonies that intertwine with electronic beats across nearly all tracks.
Several tracks, such as 'FloriDada' and 'Hocus Pocus', employ abrupt tempo changes that create a sense of unpredictability.
The instrumentation often includes unconventional sounds and samples, contributing to a vibrant and textured sonic landscape.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

playful melodies for upbeat moods
steady flow for focused listening
kaleidoscopic textures to explore
short tracks for quick engagement
vibrant soundscapes for creativity

Maybe skip if you

seeking deep emotional intensity
prefer straightforward song structures

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Experimental — Explores a vibrant sound, differing from earlier works while maintaining core elements.
Themes: cultural commentary· Florida absurdity
Career context: Released in 2016, Painting With is Animal Collective's ninth studio album, coming after the critically acclaimed Centipede Hz. At this point, the band had established a distinct sound characterized by their eclectic approach to songwriting and production, continuing to evolve artistically while maintaining their core identity.
Stylistic neighbors: Panda Bear· Tame Impala· The Microphones