On Friday, October 17, the famous one-man band, Tame Impala, came out with its fifth and newest studio album, “Deadbeat.” In this indie electronic psychedelia album, Kevin Parker, the face behind Tame Impala, used instruments like synthesizers, drum machines, guitars, bass, and his own incredible voice. This album reflects the classic Tame Impala sound with its dreamy and groovy tones. At a length of 56 minutes, “Deadbeat” becomes Parker’s second-longest album, which runs close behind his last album, “The Slow Rush,” standing at 57 minutes. Though not being the longest, fans have been debating whether this is his greatest album or not.
This album explores themes like self-doubt, adulthood, fatherhood, discomfort, and nostalgia. With these topics, Parker reflects on how it feels to grow up and mature: a theme common in his fans who seem to be aging with him. This album is about reflection and identity, diving deeper into what it means to be human. He built up anticipation for this album by first releasing the sneak-peek singles, “End of Summer,” “Loser,” and “Dracula,” one month prior. Along with these incredible tracks, he added nine more to the fully-released album. Here are three stand-out tracks that best highlight Parker’s talents as a writer and a producer.
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“My Old Ways”
“I know I, I said never again
Temptation, feels like it never ends
I’m sliding, powerless as I descend”
In this track, Parker expresses his shame as he regresses back into his old habits, erasing all of the time and effort put into becoming a changed person. As he matures, he learns to know that his past habits have negative consequences, but he just can’t seem to make any lasting progress with himself. It’s a never-ending cycle that he just can’t escape. This guilt and shame is common among those who are still growing up and learning how to navigate their own selves. Sometimes it’s normal to take one step forward and a few steps back. It’s the process of being human.
“Oblivion”
“You’re so far away,
Endlessly I tried to reach you
Cause if I make it through, my love
In the morning light, I’m with you”
Parker is trying to connect with someone who is growing more distant over time. He believes that this person will make everything right. Faced with this dilemma, Parker is forced to face the reality that he must accept that things will never be the same with this person he longs for. He is no longer able to romanticize this person and he must let go. This song introduces an important life lesson to those who are listening. Sometimes the oblivion of acceptance and surrender is better than wallowing in a cycle of yearning for someone who does not reciprocate your feelings.
“Piece of Heaven”
“This room is in shambles
But I think it’s fine
To you, it’s untidy maybe
To me, it’s divine”
Parker finds beauty in the imperfect. He finds comfort in the chaos of this room he describes as a “piece of heaven.” This comfort is so extreme that he ignores all other responsibilities just to stay and appreciate the moment. Staying in the present moment is a lesson that Parker learned as he aged. He learned that presence is one of the most intimate ways to connect with someone. Parker conveys the message that it’s important to love someone unconditionally, appreciating their beauty and imperfections.
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With “Deadbeat,” Parker further proves that his musical talent goes past just a few trending clips on social media. While less popular than some of his other pieces, this album still proves to be very impressive with its catchy lyrics and funky instrumentals. As Parker looks back on his life and the things he’s learned over the years, he manages to turn every thought into a truly incredible piece of art. While perhaps not being the greatest album in the discography, there is no doubt that Tame Impala’s talent is still shining bright.
