Tangerine Reef
by Animal Collective
  • Record Label: Domino
  • Release Date: Aug 17, 2018
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 18
  3. Negative: 2 out of 18
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  1. NOW Magazine
    Aug 21, 2018
    80
    Fans of AnCo’s more upbeat and animated works probably won’t love this album, but it is successful in its experimentation and as an affirmation that they have and always will have something unique to bring to the table.
  2. PopMatters
    Aug 17, 2018
    80
    Tangerine Reef is a project that may likely polarize Animal Collective fans, and it may not be an ideal jumping-off point for anyone looking to discover this unique band, but it's a worthy addition to their catalog, and it supports a supremely important cause in this day and age.
  3. Sputnikmusic
    Aug 20, 2018
    78
    It's not necessarily a masterpiece nor was it ever meant to be a grand statement that'd capture everyone's attention; a low-key unveiling is more fitting, for it's the Collective's return to form, except in a way that nobody expected.
  5. AllMusic
    Aug 17, 2018
    70
    Like any visual album, the floating sounds here are probably best experienced in conjunction with the visuals they were created for, but even on their own, there's a calm power that grows as the various passages of Tangerine Reef fade in and out of one another.
  6. Drowned In Sound
    Aug 16, 2018
    70
    In truth, Animal Collective didn’t really need to depend on the visual accompaniment to Tangerine Reef as the record does extremely well to capture the essence of the life aquatic on its own.
  7. Pitchfork
    Aug 16, 2018
    69
    Without Panda Bear on board, Animal Collective lose the pop edge that has resulted in their most commercially successful music, but this isn’t a project for scoring hits. It’s a meditative, hypnotic experience, and it’s not without the sense of playfulness that has driven Animal Collective throughout their career.
  8. Paste Magazine
    Aug 29, 2018
    62
    Recorded by Deakin, Avey Tare, and Geologist, Tangerine Reef is also, for better or worse, the first Animal Collective album recorded without Panda Bear, whose melodic gift is frequently missed here.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 29
  3. Negative: 5 out of 29
  1. wowee
    Aug 24, 2018
    10
    The album has a great atmosphere but it's not an album that everybody canThe album has a great atmosphere but it's not an album that everybody can listen...........................................................................................................................................................… Full Review »
  2. PaleEyedFever
    Mar 19, 2021
    9
    Heavily underappreciated album. Don't expect another Merriweather Post Pavilion, but do expect to be challenged and forced through anHeavily underappreciated album. Don't expect another Merriweather Post Pavilion, but do expect to be challenged and forced through an introspective analysis of your own psyche.… Full Review »
  3. deadbank
    Mar 6, 2019
    8
    Even without the visuals to accompany this album, this album is great. It is absolutely jam packed with some of the most soothing sounds inEven without the visuals to accompany this album, this album is great. It is absolutely jam packed with some of the most soothing sounds in AC's discography. At times, especially in the second half I feel, Avey Tare's voice can get a bit annoying and tends to draw away from what's going on in the rest of the album. Despite this, AC once again managed to put me in a magical trance for about an hour.… Full Review »
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