I know this leaked awhile ago, but I didn't download it until today--and anyway, it's not officially out until September 11th.
In terms of how it sounds or compares to previous albums...the best way I can think of to summarize it is as being everything you either like or don't about Animal Collective, only more. It's more electronic sounding than even Feels, though not in a techno-y sort of way. It uses loops and noise in the same way that Panda Bear's Person Pitch did, but is not as hypnotic. There is a pinch more noise and screaming than before, though it's not their experimental or noise record, so don't fret.
The biggest difference is that the vocals aren't as Brian Wilson-y as Person Pitch or as reverb drenched/druggy/hypnotic as on Feels or Sung Tongs. I would almost describe it as their pop record because of this, but it's too weird to ever be popular.
After a few spins, I'd say it definitely ranks below their last two. It's still worth picking up if you like Animal Collective, but it doesn't have the same perfection and balance between weirdness and catchiness that Feels and Sung Tongs do.
