Everyone’s favorite Australian psychedelic rock group returns with the much anticipated release of their third album Currents—albeit with a new musical style and a re-defined Tame Impala itself. Kevin Parker emerges as the lone mastermind of Tame Impala, revealing that the presentation of the band has merely been a facade, and Parker writes, records, and produces all of the music by himself in his cloistered home studio. Currents marks a departure from the previous psychedelic, heavy 1960’s style distortion that catapulted the band to fame, with songs like “Elephant” and “Feels Like We Only Go Backwards”. The new album shifts to a more pop, 1970’s R ’n’ B influenced sound with drawn out vintage-synth and more pronounced vocals. Standout tracks on the album are “Eventually”, a song focusing on the pain that comes with breaking a partner’s heart, “Cause I’m a Man” which demonstrates the pitfalls of his gender in romantic relationships, and the looping disco tune, “Let It Happen”.
We polled staff members on their favorite Tame Impala song to celebrate the official release of Currents. Check out the results below!
Ashley: The Less I Know the Better
Charlene: Let it Happen- This is the one that captured me. I also love The Less I Know the Better and Cause I’m A Man- mostly because of the way Justin grooves out to it at his desk.
Calia: Mind Mischief
Bre: Let It Happen
John L.: Feels Like We Only Go Backwards
Aart: Feels Like We Only Go Backwards
Tad- Feels Like We Only Go Backwards- I love the lazy 60’s pop melody, the spacious salute to the Cocteau Twins and the textured DIY production.
Justin- Yes, I’m Changing: From first listen there is something oddly nostalgic about the floating pop ballad Yes I’m Changing. What starts out at first as a heartfelt breakup letter, ends as an invitation to join Parker on his journey to a happier self, “There’s a world out there that’s calling my name. It’s calling mine and girl it’s calling yours too. Really there’s no way to pick one or two favorites off of a record like Currents. Listen once, twice, three times, four times, on and on as the currents take you away.
