Animal Collective

One of the most prolific and brilliant bands making pop music today, Animal Collective have worked their wild magic again with Water Curses. This EP continues the increased focus on songwriting the group have been evolving towards. The melodies, production and musicianship have never been stronger. Opener "Water Curses” may be a taste of the more upbeat, groove-orientated material rumoured to be on AC’s next full-length but the rest of the disc is built on fluid, hypnotic, slow-burning incantations. "Street Flash” is a sea of minimal, repetitive tremolo synth chords and a delirious laughter loop supporting a fantastic lead vocal performance. Sounding something like the Flaming Lips being produced by Paul Simon, "Cobwebs” is a genius example of how to carve out a melody with purpose — every note guides the unfolding story of the song. This is absolutely essential listening for any Animal Collective fan and likely one of 2008’s strongest releases, unless the band trump themselves with an LP before year’s end.