On Oct. 17, Kevin Parker — the mind behind Tame Impala — released his latest album, “Deadbeat.” Only 56 minutes long, this album packs powerful vocals, unique instrumentals and poignant lyricism into 12 songs, creating a listening experience that both longtime fans and newcomers can appreciate.
Usually, Parker focuses on using synthesizers and his iconic bass guitar, which are especially prevalent in songs like “The Less I Know the Better” and “Cause I’m a Man.” Parker’s use of synthesizers is still audible in this album, especially in the 6th track, “Not My World.” I personally loved the fact that this song is almost purely instrumental. To add a whimsical effect, he uses sound effects such as laser guns, reminiscent of older science fiction movies throughout, to reference the title of the song. As Tame Impala is known for his creativity, I found the unique sound effects to be a classic element of the album, also seen in the song “Dracula,” which was released on September 26th, preceding the album release.
However, Parker does make a few changes to his instrumental style in this album, specifically by experimenting more with piano. As seen in the intro of “My Old Ways,” this album utilizes catchy piano riffs to begin songs, contrasting the guitar-heavy intros of previous albums. Along with this shift, the song “Oblivion” features Latin influences in the backing track, straying away from Tame Impala’s usual style. These changes in instrumentals definitely differentiate “Deadbeat” from his previous albums, and I do appreciate the more upbeat elements of this album compared to his older ones. If listeners like Parker’s music for low-energy indie instrumentals, it is possible that they won’t find “Deadbeat” to be as enjoyable. Nevertheless, it’s Tame Impala’s constant evolution that makes the project so captivating to audiences.
But some things will always remain the same, such as Parker’s unedited vocals. “Deadbeat” was slightly disappointing vocally, as most of the songs seemed to focus on showcasing the instrumentals. Sometimes, it felt like the vocals interrupted a song’s instrumental rather than properly integrating with it, especially seen in the song “Not My World.” This contrasts with some older albums, such as 2020’s classic “The Slow Rush,” where Parker used more falsetto vocals, creating a more powerful impact on the song. That doesn’t mean I disliked the vocals in “Deadbeat” altogether. The unprocessed vocals of Tame Impala in the song “My Old Ways” added a more personal touch to a vulnerable song about addiction. My favorite vocal moment on the album was the outro of “Piece Of Heaven,” where Parker used reverb effects to create an ethereal sound, truly making the song feel like a piece of heaven.
Tame Impala did not disappoint with their lyricism as usual. The title of the album itself, “Deadbeat,” is the message of many of the songs, such as “No Reply.” “No Reply” is from the perspective of the “deadbeat.” It’s an apology and explanation for abandoning someone, saying that he “wishes [he] could describe what’s going on inside.” As Parker confesses to feeling not good enough to have meaningful relationships, “No Reply” delves into vulnerable topics like abandonment that listeners can relate to. This message continues in the song “Oblivion,” but this time, it’s from the perspective of the person getting abandoned. Parker questions why his love isn’t enough to satisfy his partner, saying, “you’re so far away, endlessly I tried to reach you.” Parker laments the loss of a relationship that was once so easy emotionally. My only criticism would be that sometimes the instrumentals overpower the vocals, making it hard to understand the lyrics. Overall, I see “Deadbeat” as an album for the emotionally guarded, the ones who have a hard time expressing themselves and a hard time asking people to stay.
Fans often joke that there is a cycle that comes with listening to Tame Impala’s latest albums. At first glance, the lyrics and instrumentals seem confusing and disjointed. However, after a few listens, the pieces start coming together. I grew to love the creativity of the instrumentals and the cohesion of the lyrical message. I give Deadbeat a 5/5 for instrumentals, 4/5 vocally and a 4.5/5 for lyrics, giving it an average of 4.5 for the entire album.
Rating: 4.5 Viking helmets out of 5
