Released: 2015

Genres: Neo-Psychedelia, Psychedelic Pop, Synthpop, R&B, Indietronica

The Musiquarium’s Currents Review Score: 10 out of 10

With Innerspeaker and Lonerism, Kevin Parker had become a torchbearer for 2010s psychedelic rock, with his blending of modern production married to a retro sound and aesthetic. People who had nearly lost faith in modern rock music still had Kevin Parker in the indie realm, so Currents and its left turn into synthpop initially felt like a selling out or betrayal to many. Gone were the fuzzy guitars, in were shiny synths and retro eighties vibes… But it all worked out so immensely well.

Let It Happen seems like a mission statement for the album and could be aimed towards himself and his audience alike — let this change happen, and embrace it. This is where life is taking Kevin and so this is the music he must make, and us as listeners must trust him and let him do what he needs to do; it’s all about discovery. The Moment is a powerhouse of a dance track, which will have you falling in love with the sound of your heels on the wooden floor.

The Less I Know the Better is probably the most iconic Tame Impala song yet, even going as far as surpassing Elephant; it’s a tale of losing the girl of your dreams to another guy, where your own ignorance is bliss. Yes I’m Changing has Kevin confronting change, and that as he grows and changes, the music he makes must change too. Eventually is one of his most hard-hitting songs, tugging on your emotions with it’s big, powerful chorus and synth chords. Disciples makes you wish it was longer than two minutes, but sometimes less is more.

On Past Life, Kevin Parker uses a deep robotic voice in lieu of conventional vocals, but still makes room for some of his regular vocals in it’s refrain. ‘Cause I’m a Man resulted in accusations of misogyny, but if you actually listen to the lyrics, it’s Kevin talking about how toxic masculinity, and how men are often oblivious and unaware of the things they do.

Love/Paranoia and Reality in Motion may be tucked in at the end of the album, but are as catchy and memorable as the rest of the album. The closing song, New Person, Same Old Mistakes, is something I think we can all relate to: no matter how much you change, you’re still you at your core, for better or worse — we can try our best to grow, but we may still act on the same instincts and impulses as we once did.

Lonerism showed an increased reliance on synthesizers, so while Currents‘ direction may have been surprising and jarring to some, it’s not too hard to understand either, especially on a song like the Lonerism b-side Beverly Laurel, which would have suggested this was the direction Parker was heading in. Ultimately, Currents is a brilliant reinvention and successful creative and commercial left-turn for Kevin Parker, and is the album that’s turned him into one of the most in-demand producers working today and an artist that millions of people now adore. Not bad for some loner from one of the most isolated cities in the world.

For credit breakdowns and historic release details, view Tame Impala on Discogs.

Back to the 2015 Album Guide or the Tame Impala Reviews page.

Written by Brett Nippard