Tame Impala – Modular Recordings
Since the inception and positive reception of Innerspeaker and Lonerism, the psych-rock band from Perth has been busy touring and gearing up for their third album release. Tame Impala’s success is linked to their creative genius, and their new creation, Currents, is on point. There are tracks on this album that’ll be spinning through your mind the moment you push pause.
The lyrics are sung by Kevin Parker, with his usual chill-wave voice echoing self revelations through your speakers. Accompanied with the acid trip sound are cool prose that speak of new beginnings in life: ideas of letting go, moving on, being present, and allusions to personal experiences. The LP opens with a seven minute monster that’s amazing and incredibly complex. A siren like noise hums behind rapid drums, like something is exploding. At points, the music becomes submerged like you’re listening from the outside of a club, and Parker begins to sing, “Let it happen, let happen. It’s gonna feel so good. All this running around. Trying to cover my shadow. Notion growing inside. All the others too shallow…” Eventually the song includes tehcno synth vocals ending on a fade out.
Take a second to breathe with Nangs. It’s a laid back one minute track before diving into The Moment, which is so good it hurts. Aptly named to reference the inevitable, the unavoidable, a true expression of existence. It’s happening now, no matter what. “I fell in love with the sound of my heels on the wooden floor. I don’t want my footsteps to be silent anymore. Want them to be in the moment… In the end it’s coming, there’s nothing left to do…” They play with echo, snaps, and electronic sounding bells. Yes I’m Changing is very relaxing, and tones it down for a moment of serenity that feels like deep realizations. “I was holding and I was searching endlessly. But baby, now their’s nothing left that I can do. So don’t be blue.” Eventually is extremely captivating with it’s heavy beats, drop, and cymbals. It’s very dense, and worth playing on repeat. “If only their could be another way to do this. Cause it feels like murder to put your heart through this.” The Less I know is a bit more pop rock oriented, something like a 70’s trip.
The album as a whole is incredible. Their are so many flavors with a sound that could get lost in itself. Currents still has Tame Impalas psychedelic mark, but it’s a hybrid of past work with something classier. Cause I’m a Man is a perfect example. It plays smoothly in grand steps. Snatch a copy ASAP so you don’t have to listen to your friends tell you how great the new album really is.