“What have we become?” Avey Tare sings in an irrepressible hook- shouting the question in a way that exclaims we might still become something more. The song’s slow-motion finale feels like a fantasia vision of what’s to come—a quieter place where we can thrive together not apart. This is the beautiful and redemptive saga of the Animal Collective condensed into one unforgettable suite a song for holding fast even as the world spins ahead ever faster. - - Recorded with Grammy-winning producer Russell Elevado the 22-minute epic is an unapologetic ode to perseverance and hope to “staying grounded like the spruce” when the very land seems to shift beneath us. “Defeat” features guest musicians Samara Lubelski (violin) Leila Bordreuil (cello) and Ben Chapoteau-Katz (saxophone). The artwork is by Lauren Luloff Backwards Question 2023. - - Defeat - The Challenge (Live Edit)