THE SLOW RUSH

BY: Alexis Eichelberger

The elusive frontman of Tame Impala has become somewhat of a legend among modern music fans. Kevin Parker, the Australian mastermind behind the otherworldly synth sounds we’ve come to associate with him and his associated musicians, first captivated us with Tame Impala’s debut album Innerspeaker in 2010. The act grew to global prominence with the following two albums, the last of which was released in 2015. Parker’s return has been anxiously anticipated ever since.

Tame Impala finally did return last week with The Slow Rush, a stunning collection well worth the wait. The 12-track collection is a bit divergent from Parker’s previous work. The Slow Rush is less of a synth-heavy soundscape than Tame Impala’s fourth album, Currents, or other records, yet it stays grounded in the electronic sounds we know and love. This new era feels like a more accessible window into the genre-bending artistry of Parker.

Tame Impala released the first promotional single almost a full year prior to the album, growing our excitement for months with five cool tracks, each distinct in sound and style from the others. “Breathe Deeper,” which dropped just a week before the album, stands out as one of The Slow Rush’s best tracks. A funky electric piano drives the rhythm, with twinkly riffs between verses of Parker’s defiant lyrics.

tame

“Lost In Yesterday” is another single that prevailed as a highlight of the full album. Released in January, it shows how Tame Impala can unite both serious reckoning and wistful longing for the past. Its trippy, retro electronic sounds glimmer beneath the surface of the melody as Parker reminisces. “Eventually terrible memories turn into great ones,” he asserts. 

Tame Impala has announced tour dates that will take Parker and his bandmates across the U.S. and Australia throughout the spring and summer months. High demand has already prompted Parker to add dates to the schedule as the world celebrates his return after five long years.