It shouldn't be news that Tame Impala is one of my favourite bands, thus it's expected that I was eagerly anticipating the release of Currents. Throughout the last couple of months leading up to the albums release Kevin Parker's been dropping some singles here and there, starting off with Let It Happen followed by 'Cause I'm A Man, Disciples and then Eventually. Each have been different in their own rites and have showcased the general direction in which Kevin was headed off in with this new album. I knew that we weren't going to get another Lonerism and definitely not another Innerspeaker and I was okay with that. As the album title suggests, Parker's like a current, always flowing and always changing and as a fan you have to appreciate that. He isn't going to compromise his art for the sake of the masses, he's going to do his own thing and I love him for it.
Let It Happen - This was the first single to drop from the album. It's an almost eight minute masterpiece with a multitude of different parts and layers and you can clearly see Kevin's disco influence slipping in and out of this track. Just like in Apocalypse Dreams (the first single to drop off Lonerism) Parker is trying to cope with the change within himself, his life and his music and he does this by bringing his mom into the mix. On Apocalypse Dreams, Parker sings, "Everything is changing, I guess I should warn my mom" but this time he says, "And if I never come back, tell my mother I'm sorry". Through the lyrics Kevin's already made it apparent that he's ready to take on this change and let it happen. Midway through the track listeners feel as if it's experiencing a repeated skip that Parker's got on loop till the rising synths come in, which is probably my favourite part in the entire song. At the end robot style vocals (which they've included within their live set as well) come in, signalling the track's close. Overall this is a danceable track, probably one of the most danceable on the record because the beat's just so damn good.
Let It Happen - Tame Impala
Nangs - This track feels like a total trip and gives the illusion that you're floating down a current. If you close your eyes and listen closely you can almost feel yourself being transported into somewhere within the album artwork. It's a mostly instrumental track, minus Parker's nearly inaudible, periodic, repeating of the same phrase, "But is there something more than that?" throughout its 1:48 expanse. This track was short but sweet and left me wanting more!
The Moment - More on the upbeat side of things this song starts off strong before Parker's falsetto takes over with his echo driven vocals morphing into each other, panning throughout the track. He sings about a particular event or moment in his life nearing closer and for to have to overcome it once the time comes, staying within the albums themes. Listen to this track with headphones, it's a game changer.
Yes I'm Changing - This is one of the albums first slow jams. It's a total self-reflexive piece where Parker adds poetic introspective lyricism to the atmospheric background sounds. As the tracks title suggests, he feels as if he's changing and that a particular relationship has run its course (with fellow psychedelic artist and ex-girlfriend, Melody Prochet of Melody's Echo Chamber) and that he's okay with it because to him that is what life is all about, again adhering to the main theme of this album. Parker is no longer rejecting the change he feels within himself. He is fully embracing it. My favourite line of the song is when Parker harps: "They say people never change but that's bull shit, they do", because they do.
Eventually - I've spoken about this song on here before. It's one of my favourites out of the singles that dropped pre-album release. It's one of the few songs on this record that sees Tame Impala draw back to its roots, via the inclusion of a prominent guitar. Lamenting on a past relationship, again, Parker states that the ending of it was for the better and that things will get better for the other party, eventually.
Eventually - Tame Impala
Gossip - Another short interlude track, hidden between the songs. At just 55 seconds this song can make you dizzy. It makes me feel as if you've come off a spinny ride at the amusement park.
The Less I Know The Better - The opening riff to this song is awesome and totally groovy. This whole track, once the backing instrumentation comes in and beat pulls through makes you want to get up and dance. I can see this being a hit with crowds when the band embarks on tour again. You can hear the same 70's disco influence that was present on tracks like, Let It Happen, creep up again.
Past Life - This is probably my least favourite song on the record. I can't take Kevin's deepened voice, talking about going to the dry cleaners and seeing the figure of a past lover from the rearview mirror seriously. Maybe it's just because the voice reminds me too much of Darth Vader...
Disciples - Again, this track coming in at 1:48, just like Nangs, is short but it's probably one of my favourite Tame Impala tracks ever! There's something so fun and carefree about this song. It has a very pop-y element to it and it's just a lot of fun, really. It sounds totally lo-fi too, a quality I rather enjoy, and reminds me of something that would be blasting out of a vintage style radio in the 70's from a convertible.
Disciples - Tame Impala
'Cause I'm A Man - Another one of the albums slow jams, it seems as if Parker has crafted the ultimate make-out song. This song is sexy and sultry at its finest and we get to hear his Lennon-esque vocals throughout. With listening to the songs lyrics it seems as if it's some sort of apology, him blaming his actions on being a man and not thinking before he does as a result. Again, just like, Yes I'm Changing, this is another one of the albums rather self-reflexive pieces.
'Cause I'm A Man - Tame Impala
Reality In Motion - This is my favourite song on the album! It's totally groovy and has a heavy psychedelic flair. It's reminiscent of a track that could've easily fit into Lonerism, with a very Music To Walk Home To vibe. It has a fun and easy going feel to it and it's one of the more danceable tracks to be featured.
Love Paranoia - Parker on this track is literally paranoid about the love and relationship he is in, lamenting about not being as honest as he should've been because of personal walls and barriers, about specific actions making him feel like dying and feeling insecure in himself. The carefree attitude that was found on tracks like, Disciples and Reality in Motion is gone, moving toward darker imagery, subject matter and lyricism. One of the most special moments on the album for me is when Parker says, "Do you remember the time we were by the ocean?" and the way in which the guitar sounds in that moment makes me feel as if I'm by the actual ocean shore. Parker is able to transport the listener to the setting in which he is talking about through the sounds of his music, and I think that's something really special.
New Person, Same Old Mistakes - On the more serious side of things once again, the track opens with a brooding feeling, one filled with attitude, with the accentuated bass beat. Kevin closes off the album on a rather pessimistic note. He feels like a brand new person but doesn't feel as if much has changed at the same time, putting him at a crossroad of sorts, and bringing the earlier optimism and lighter, fleeting feelings to a halt.
Overall Currents saw Kevin branch out. He showed that he was more than just a dude who was trying to blow the dust off the ole vinyls and start a 60's / 70's revivalist project. On this album he shows his growth as an artist. He's come a long way from his beginnings, like the songs on the Antares, Mira, Sun EP. With each album I'd say Kevin has been able to keep himself current, fresh and new without compromising his 60's psychedelic roots. Although this album was more synth and drum machine based and didn't see any shreddy guitar solos or excessive jams, it had those definite groovy moments and moments of pure musical bliss. Kevin's lyricism has also become way more personal, ditching the imagery found on Innerspeaker in favour of more introspective and questioning ones. He paints a picture with his lyrics and does it in a rather honest and poetic way in a similar fashion to folk icons of the 60's. I've had this album on repeat since it's been released! And I know I'll be listening to it for months to come.
Favourite Tracks: Nangs, Disciples, Reality In Motion, Love Paranoia, 'Cause I'm A Man, Yes I'm Changing, Eventually, The Less I Know The Better.
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