Parquet Courts made Sunbathing Animal to prove they could get bigger without losing their nerve. The Brooklyn band had spent four records building a sound that married literate punk lyrics to angular guitars, and this one pushes past the edges of that formula. It is their most ambitious record to date, and also their clearest statement of intent: this is a band that wants to talk about politics, history and the end of the world, and still make songs that move.
The album runs 46 minutes across 13 tracks, and it moves fast. There is no filler here. The band knows exactly what they are doing, and they do it with a precision that rewards attention.
Opening With Bodies Made Of
The record starts with “Bodies Made Of,” a three-minute burst of nervous energy that sets the tone. The song is built on a driving bassline and a vocal delivery that sounds like a man trying to explain something urgent to someone who is not listening. It is the perfect introduction to the album’s central tension: ideas that are too big for the room they are playing in.
“Black & White” follows and slows the pace slightly, but not the intensity. The lyrics here are about the limits of binary thinking, and the music matches that theme by refusing to settle into a comfortable groove. It is a song about the difficulty of seeing the world in shades of gray, and it does not let up until the final note.
“Dear Ramona” is a shorter, sharper piece that functions as a palate cleanser. It is the most straightforward pop song on the record, and it works because it is brief enough to get out of the way before it overstays its welcome. The track is a love letter in the form of a plea, and the band’s literate instincts are on full display in the phrasing.
“What Color Is Blood?” is the record’s first real curveball. It is a slow-burning, atmospheric track that leans into mood over melody, and it is the kind of song that would feel out of place on any other Parquet Courts record. The title asks a question that the song never answers, and that ambiguity is the point. It is a bold choice, and it pays off.
Vienna II Through Instant Disassembly
“Vienna II” is a brief instrumental interlude that acts as a bridge between the first half and the second. It is only 1:02 long, but it does the work of a much longer track by signaling a shift in the album’s emotional register. The song is named after a city, but it does not describe it. Instead, it captures a feeling of displacement, of being somewhere without ever quite arriving.
“Always Back in Town” picks up the pace again, and it is one of the record’s most immediate hooks. The song is about the pull of nostalgia, and it wears that idea on its sleeve. It is a track that rewards repeat listens, because the lyrics reveal new layers with each pass. The chorus is simple, but it sticks.
“She’s Rolling” is the longest track on the record, and it earns that length. It is a sprawling, restless piece that builds from a quiet guitar riff into a full-band crescendo, and it never loses its focus. The song is about a relationship that is spinning out of control, and the music mirrors that chaos. It is a highlight, and it shows the band at their most adventurous.
“Sunbathing Animal” is the title track, and it is the record’s centerpiece. It is a song about the absurdity of modern life, and it is the most directly political track the band has recorded. The lyrics are dense and referential, but they land with a force that makes them impossible to ignore. It is a standout track, and it is easy to hear why.
Up All Night And Into the Garden
“Up All Night” is another brief interlude, this one a drum-and-bass pulse that feels like a reset button. It is only 1:02 long, and it does exactly what it needs to do: it clears the head and prepares the listener for the final stretch. The song is minimal, but it is effective.
“Instant Disassembly” is the longest track on the back half, and it is a slow, patient piece that rewards patience. The song is about the fragility of human connection, and it is the most emotional moment on the record. It is a song that builds slowly, layer by layer, until it reaches a climax that feels earned. It is a standout, and it is a track that will hold up for years to come.
“Ducking & Dodging” is a shorter, more playful number that breaks the tension with a lighter touch. The lyrics are about the art of staying alive, and the music is loose and bouncy. It is a welcome change of pace, and it shows that the band can write songs that are fun without sacrificing their intelligence. It is a solid track, but it is not essential.
“Raw Milk” is the penultimate song, and it is a return to the band’s more aggressive sound. The title is a metaphor for purity, and the song is about the struggle to maintain integrity in a compromised world. It is a strong track, but it does not reach the heights of the songs around it. It is a solid entry in the catalog.
“Into the Garden” closes the record with a gentle, reflective coda. The song is about finding peace in the chaos, and it ends the album on a note of resolution. It is a fitting conclusion to a record that has spent its runtime exploring the darker corners of existence.
The Order Of The Tracks
- “Bodies Made Of” — the opening statement
- “Black & White” — slows the pace slightly
- “Dear Ramona” — the palate cleanser
- “What Color Is Blood?” — the first curveball
- “Vienna II” — the instrumental bridge
- “Always Back in Town” — picks up the pace
- “She’s Rolling” — the longest track
- “Sunbathing Animal” — the title track
- “Up All Night” — the drum-and-bass pulse
- “Instant Disassembly” — the slowest build
- “Ducking & Dodging” — the lighter touch
- “Raw Milk” — the penultimate song
- “Into the Garden” — the closing coda
What The Songs Compare To
| Track | Length | Role |
|---|---|---|
| “Bodies Made Of” | 3:21 | Opening statement |
| “What Color Is Blood?” | 3:25 | First curveball |
| “She’s Rolling” | 6:33 | Longest track |
| “Sunbathing Animal” | 3:52 | Title track |
| “Instant Disassembly” | 7:12 | Slowest build |
The Best And The Rest
Not every track on Sunbathing Animal is a highlight. The middle section, particularly the instrumental interlude, is where the record sags slightly. “Vienna II” is competent, but it is filler by design. It does not add anything new to the conversation, and it is best enjoyed as a transition rather than a destination.
The record’s ambition occasionally gets ahead of itself. Some of the denser lyrical passages can feel like they are competing with the music for attention, and a few tracks lose focus in the final stretch. That said, the album’s highs are high enough to justify the occasional stumble.
The album’s best moments are its most literate ones. The lyrics are the most important aspect of the record, and the band’s willingness to engage with complex ideas without dumbing them down is what separates them from their peers. The music is sharp and precise, but the words are the engine.
Why This Record Matters
Sunbathing Animal is the sound of a band hitting their stride. It is their most cohesive record to date, and it is the one that brings together the literary ambitions of their early work with their developing sonic experimentation. The result is a record that is both accessible and challenging, a rare combination in rock music.
The album is not perfect. It has a middle section that drags, and some of the songs feel like sketches rather than finished pieces. But those flaws are minor compared to the strengths. The record’s best tracks are among the best the band has ever released, and the overall trajectory is undeniable.
The album is a statement of purpose, and it is a successful one. Parquet Courts have proven that they can expand their musical range without losing the literate, nervy post-punk edge that made them stand out in the first place. They have made a record that rewards careful listening, and they have made a record that holds up on first listen.
Score: 78/100
The record is a triumph of ambition and execution. It is the band’s best work to date, and it is a record that will be discussed for years to come. It is not a perfect album, but it is a great one, and it is the sound of a band reaching their peak.
- Bodies Made Of3:21
- Black & White3:03
- Dear Ramona2:35
- What Color Is Blood?3:25
- Vienna II1:02
- Always Back in Town2:38
- She's Rolling6:33
- Sunbathing Animal3:52
- Up All Night1:02
- Instant Disassembly7:12
- Ducking & Dodging4:29
- Raw Milk4:00
- Into the Garden3:01
