Tame Impala

Nearly three years after the release of Tame Impala’s sophomore album Lonerism, a collection of psychedelic rock that touches on lead singer Kevin Parker’s struggles with socialization, the Australian band returns with Currents, the group’s third studio album that pairs a fresh electronic sound with pensive romantic thoughts. 

“Let It Happen,” the nearly eight-minute first track, lays out the album’s new style. Flickering production, supple bass and anthemic synths take the place of the guitar riffs that usually support Parker’s ethereal voice. It isn’t until the six minute and 30 second mark that a guitar growls over the song’s electronic-heavy production. 

The band’s evolution isn’t completely out of the blue — it was evident in the transition between the group’s first studio album, Innerspeaker, and their second — but their steadfast commitment to constructing a synth-heavy record might be jarring to longtime fans of the group.

In the song “Past Life,” which falls more into indie electronic than any other genre, synthesizers swirl underneath a deep, modulated voice that makes remarks about seeing a past lover while running daily errands. In the chorus, Parker reflects on the encounter, saying, “feel like I saw a ghost” and “I was transfixed.”  

The distorted voice — seemingly representing Parker’s honest inner thoughts — has a grimmer outlook on the sighting, declaring, “I thought I was moving on but I guess I was just switching off / And now I see my life as the banal slog it instantly became / And I don’t know if I can go on the same.” 

The upbeat song “The Moment” is a perfect middle ground between the group’s kaleidoscopic sophomore album and its newer, club-ready sound, starting with twinkling synths and syncopated beats. The song reaches its high point when echoes of “It’s getting closer” cease and make space for the best guitar solo on the album and one of the finest throughout the band’s discography. 

There’s also the track “Eventually,” a breakup song that cuts through oft-used cliches. The lyrics show Parker’s fear to break up with someone that he needs to let go, and his efforts to make himself feel better by reasoning that,  “I know that I’ll be happier / and I know you will too / Eventually / Eventually.” 

Still, he admits he would prefer to avoid the confrontation all together, singing, “Wish I could turn you back into a stranger / Cause if I was never in your life, you wouldn’t have to change this.” 

Synth pads take a backseat in “Eventually” and allow Parker’s mesmerizing voice, heavy guitar chords and a consistent drumbeat to build the backbone of the song. It’s one of the best songs on the album for sure, but fair warning: If you listen enough, the chorus is sure to be ingrained in your mind almost as bad as any Taylor Swift song you’d hear on the radio. 

The same can be said for “‘Cause I’m a Man,” the album’s second single that finds Parker’s airy voice delicately perched over a simple yet addictive guitar riff as he sings, “My weakness is the source of all my pride / I’ll tell you why / Cause I’m a man, woman / Don’t always think before I do.” 

Some have claimed the song is sexist as Parker apparently excuses his behavior because of his gender, but the singer clarified to multiple outlets that the song is about explaining to his lover that he makes mistakes because he is human, and mankind is fallible. 

While Tame Impala’s sound changed a bit in Currents, the band’s strengths — imaginative lyrics, strong album themes and experimental musical choices — are noticeable as ever in its latest work. It’s unknown if Currents’ electronic sound is indicative of the band’s future style or just a onetime effort, but either way, the band has shown it’s willing – and able – to continue to push musical boundaries.