Tame Impala - Currents

With each album, Tame Impala have shifted into a new dynamic, experimenting with different levels of psychedelia. The debut, ‘Innerspeaker’ is a Beatles-esque journey through space and time. Lonerism is full of dreamy, memorable melodies. Now, with latest album, ‘Currents’, poppy, synth-injected electronica has replaced washy late-60’s fuzz. This is not to say that Kevin Parker and co have rejected their psych roots - there is equally as much spacey, wooziness, both musically and lyrically; It’s just channeled through a different flavour.

Leading single and album opener, ‘Let It Happen’ is a dance-meets-psych anthem, boasting catchy hooks, strutting drums and dreamy vocals. Just shy of eight minutes, the track is brave in some ways; it’s not exactly designed for the radio, however it has skyrocketed into the mainstream, crossing over to brand new audiences. It’s Parker’s originality and creative brilliance which makes this track and the album as a whole, exceptional. Tame Impala is essentially a solo project with Parker writing and recording everything himself. Therefore, the band’s discography feels personal and marks the evolution of Parker’s life as well as music. ‘Yes I’m Changing’ is evidence of this - somber lyrics, “there’s no future left for you and me” portray Parker as a protagonist, revealing his personal struggles.

Though Parker has denied that Currents is a breakup album, there is a regular theme of despair and heartbreak. Bass-infused closer, ‘New Person, Same Old Mistakes’ sees a sense of reality and transience within it’s lyrics, with an almost haunting falsetto delivery - “But you've got your demons, and she's got her regrets”. The synth-y instrumentation in combination with hip-hop-y beat makes a perfect soundtrack for close-your-eyes daydreaming. This is a general reflection of the whole album - the assembly of each track is so adroit that it evokes a mood that is otherworldly. The Australian psych-rockers have created an album which is arguably their best yet. It may be hard to beat, but with the producing abilities of Kevin Parker, it is very possible.