Centipede Hz

Centipede Hz represents a pivotal moment in Animal Collective's discography, marking the return of guitarist Deakin and a shift away from the loop-based, reverb-soaked electronics of Merriweather Post Pavilion. Recorded in their hometown of Baltimore, the album was conceived as a 'live band' record, with the members practicing in a room together to capture a more immediate, aggressive energy. The sonic palette is heavily influenced by the concept of a 'radio broadcast from a distant planet,' utilizing jagged synth textures and a dry, maximalist production style that eschews the band's signature cavernous reverb. Lyrically, the album explores themes of nostalgia, family, and the passage of time, particularly on tracks like 'Moonjock' and 'Father Time.' While it polarized some fans who preferred their more melodic, ambient side, it remains a testament to the band's refusal to repeat themselves, offering a dense, challenging, and highly rhythmic take on experimental pop.