TAME Impala’s latest release Deadbeat trades the shimmering guitar layers and psychedelic highs of his earlier work for something more introspective and electronic.
The result is an album that hums with technobeats and pulsing synths rather than the soaring riffs fans might expect. However, it still carries Kevin Parker’s signature atmosphere and emotional precision.
At first listen, Deadbeat feels calmer, even restrained. The energy that once drove tracks such as Elephant or Let It Happen has given way to a reflective maturity. Perhaps a sign that Parker is no longer trying to prove anything but simply express what remains unsaid.
The album’s title and artwork suggest a personal reckoning, with several tracks hinting at his shifting priorities as a father and musician. The theme of family life is subtly woven throughout the record, most notably in the song Piece of Heaven, which references his daughter’s messy bedroom in what feels like an affectionate glimpse into his home life.
While it might lack the high-octane spark of his earlier albums, the production remains immaculate. Parker’s attention to rhythm and layering keeps each song textured and alive, even when the pace slows.
The album may mark a gentler phase in his evolution, but the craftsmanship behind it is as strong as ever.
Standout tracks include My Old Ways, a nostalgic groove that bridges his past and present sounds. Loser balances melancholy with hypnotic beats. Meanwhile, Dracula is a darkly entrancing cut that shows his enduring knack for mood-building. The closing track End of Summer wraps everything in a hazy warmth that feels like acceptance – the sound of an artiste growing older but still deeply in tune with his emotions.
It is not a return to the psychedelic heights of Currents or Lonerism, nor does it try to be. Instead, this is Tame Impala at peace with change, still making terrific beats but from a quieter and more personal place.
