CURRENTS
TAME IMPALA
My favorite album by Tame Impala, aka Kevin Parker, is Currents. It was the album that really put him on the map when it came to alternative, and psychedelic pop/rock. Nothing can compare to listening to this album for the first time. Kevin’s continuous falsetto vocals and spacey guitars create an airy atmosphere that I have yet to find in any other artist. When recording Currents, Kevin decided to record it alone at his beachside home in Australia. An assortment of retro synths, crisply tuned drum sets, stellar guitars, and bottles of red wine made it the perfect place to record an album like this. This album is the perfect introduction to alternative rock, and psychedelic pop. If you’re looking to explore these genres, Currents is an unoffensive and pleasurable listen.
Currents starts off with an absolute adventure of a track. Let It Happen features confusing stutters, heavy synths, and recorded strings. A 7 minute run time is not expected in a pop song. Artists trying to make a hit usually like to keep songs between 2-4 minutes. I don’t think Kevin is trying to do this here. I think that he is showing his musical prowess by creating this song. Let It Happen is an embodiment of what Tame Impala is about. It encapsulates his creative genius and ability to create a mesmerizing environment. After Let It Happen, we hear Nangs. This track still features the strings and synths, but has a much shorter run time of less than two minutes. Kevin sets a lush standard with Nangs.
The Moment features lush and airy synth stabs with powerful and punchy kicks that hit you right in the gut. Kevin’s layered vocals create a fleeting melody with panning and addictive and melencholic vocals.
Yes I’m Changing is my personal favorite song on the album. This song, like many other songs on the project, grew on me immensely. A slower tempo and predictable drums put me in a more relaxed mood. What’s really special about this track is the second half. The layers of synths, strings, and ambient vocals come together to create the most wonderful musical scheme. As the eclectic organ comes in taking quick stabs at the keys, a highly addictive and sparkling melody forms.
Next up, Eventually is the song that really defines the sound of this album. For the first 15 seconds, loud and distorted guitars blast your eardums, just for soft bubbly synths to take over. We still hear these guitar tones make appearances throughout the track.
Gossip is a 55 second interlude where Kevin uses panning and varying velocities to create a sort of dizzy atmosphere that is quite uncomfortable, yet still sonically pleasing.
The Less I Know the Better is the most popular and least offensive song on this whole project, and I can understand why. Medium run time, addictive guitar riffs, classic drum runs, and that same Tame Impala falsetto. This track is not my favorite due to its overplayed nature and it adds nothing new to his tool belt of sound.
Past Life sounds like an 80’s love song that slowly shifts into a sensual modern song with warbly bass and distorted drums. This song features very little singing beyond the chorus, instead featuring an effected monologue about a glimpse of someone in love, drifting apart from his lover slowly.
Disciples is one of my favorite tracks on the album. We hear a limited and flat song for the first half of the track, uninteresting and forlorn. But a minute in, we hear a clear SNAP, and listeners are transported into this lush and catchy song. This wonderful, yet short track holds a special spot in my heart and reminds me of summer drives.
‘Cause I’m a Man slows things back down with that classic Tame Impala algorythm. This one is rather boring to me and adds nothing new to the table, but I really enjoy the harmonizing he does on this track.
Reality in Motion speeds things back up. This song reminds us to breathe, and that life doesn’t stop for you.
Love/Paranoia is a very guitar/hi-hat heavy song. I prefer Paranoia to Love. The kick in Paranoia just scratches my brain in the right way, and the epic strings create such a beautiful track.
New Person, Same Old Mistakes, the last track on the album, though it is not my favorite, I believe this song is Kevin’s best song he’s ever made. He just gets everything right. From the background vocals, to the slowly building instrumental, and perfect hints of sitar in the background. I love this song so much, and I believe its the perfect closer for such an emotional and airy album like this.
WHERE/WHEN TO LISTEN
Currents is meant to be listened to at night, alone. No one can convince me otherwise. It’s such an intimate experience that can only be fully appreciated when you give it the full attention it deserves. A late night drive, or walk, paired with Currents creates such a vibe that can’t be replicated any other way. Sure, you can listen to this album anywhere you want, but my way is best. Trust me.