7/10

Ever since Animal Collective have been in existence, it seems that their members have been continuously looking to break away from their group's sound in order to pursue their own ambitions. But after Avey Tare aka producer David Portner first delivered his debut solo album 'Down There' in 2010, it has always seemed that his own direction was very much a part of the general Animal Collective tone. But now as he returns with his third solo effort 'Cows On Hourglass Pond', the frontman looks to breakaway from those original ambitions and create a sound that he can finally call his own.

While very much stuck in that warped and psychedelic vibe of his formative outfit, the overall vibe of this new release is something far more ethereal and progressive than we were expecting. Tackling the Australian angle to the genre, most notably performed by the likes of MGMT and Tame Impala, Avey Tare has relied less on the electronic direction of his past and opted for a more analog intention, giving this release a far more organic sound. With a variety of looped instrumentation running throughout, the new record has this incredible warm and inviting feel to it, making it very easy to slip into and enjoy thoroughly.

Filled with some wild experimentation and unconventional songwriting, 'Cows On Hourglass Pond' is probably one of the best solo releases from an Animal Collective member we have heard in a while. It certainly sees the producer embarking on a wave of diverse exploration yet still manages to stay grounded in the psych-pop focus we have all tuned in to hear.