Is Time Skiffs a good place to start with Animal Collective?

Yes, Time Skiffs is recommended as a starting point for new Animal Collective listeners. A kaleidoscopic blend of experimental pop and art rock, weaving intricate melodies through lush sonic landscapes. Released on February 4, 2022, 'Time Skiffs' marks Animal Collective's first studio album in over six years since 'Painting With' in 2016. The album showcases a return to their more collaborative roots after a period of individual projects, reflecting the band's evolution while retaining their signature eclectic style.

Who is Time Skiffs for?

Time Skiffs works well if you're into wave-like pacing with gentle shifts, whimsical melodies for daydreaming and gradual builds that reward patience.

How many songs are on Time Skiffs?

Time Skiffs has 9 tracks, running approximately 47 minutes.

Time Skiffs

Animal Collective · 2022

47 min · 9 tracks · electronic music

A kaleidoscopic blend of experimental pop and art rock, weaving intricate melodies through lush sonic landscapes.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Dragon Slayer Start here — Opening the album, this track combines playful rhythms with vivid storytelling, setting the tone for the adventurous sonic journey ahead.
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Cherokee — With its haunting melody and introspective lyrics, this track delves into themes of nostalgia and identity, showcasing the band's lyrical depth.
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We Go Back — This reflective song encapsulates the album's overarching themes of time and connection, featuring harmonies that evoke a sense of longing.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album blends experimental pop with art rock, showcasing intricate melodies and lush soundscapes.

What we noticed

The final track fades out gradually, leaving an echoing ambiance that contrasts with the more structured beginnings of earlier songs.

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: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

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

wave-like pacing with gentle shifts
whimsical melodies for daydreaming
gradual builds that reward patience
immersive soundscapes for exploration

Maybe skip if you

prefer straightforward single tracks
seek immediate gratification

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and creativity after a long gap between albums.
Themes: nostalgic storytelling· time and connection· playful rhythms
Career context: Released on February 4, 2022, 'Time Skiffs' marks Animal Collective's first studio album in over six years since 'Painting With' in 2016. The album showcases a return to their more collaborative roots after a period of individual projects, reflecting the band's evolution while retaining their signature eclectic style.
Stylistic neighbors: Panda Bear· Tame Impala· The Microphones

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Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Car Keys

The verse subtly shifts between past and present tense, creating a layered narrative about fleeting moments and memories.

This temporal play enriches the emotional weight of the lyrics, emphasizing how quickly time can slip away while maintaining an intimate connection.