Tame Impala
Currents
[Interscope]
Following up on two guitar-driven psych-rock albums with an eight-minute track full of urgently shuffling percussion, disco synths, a section that sounds like the record’s broken and a Daft Punk-inspired robotic vocal is a brave move, and a brilliant one. Opener Let It Happen is a belter worthy of its extended length and a banging start to an album that doesn’t quite keep up the pace.
After the excitement we’re brought back down to earth by Nangs, and earth is not where we want to be. The best songs are the ones on which Parker sounds like he’s having fun – his rambling detours into personal territory are less enjoyable, as his vocals are a little too disengaged, and his lyrics too lazy, to provide the emotional impact needed to sustain four minutes of moaning about his ex-girlfriend. Fans of earlier Tame Impala albums will enjoy the spaced-out psychedelic vibe that sticks around on this album, although it’s brought into less familiar territory with a focus on intricately textured, bassy soundscapes rather than fuzzy guitar hooks. This new direction is definitely a good one; despite the lack of focus in places, there are always enough surprises to keep drawing you back in. A sonic playground shrouded in dark clouds.
Like this? Try these:
Spiritualized – Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space
Daft Punk – Discovery
Neon Indian – Psychic Chasms
Words: Rachel Graham
