“I’m about to do something crazy,” intones Kevin Parker on “Instant Destiny” off of the fourth album in his musical voyage better known to the world as Tame Impala. Over the course of four albums, Parker has shifted from an alt-rock curator mining the glam rock territory of yore for inspiration to a modern pop savior whose brand of sleek, vibrant, and soulful music contains a startling vulnerability to it. On his latest record, The Slow Rush, Parker builds upon the funk and pop influences he established on smash record Currents and adds layers of introspection and sonic richness, resulting in a decidedly more personal and nuanced listening experience. With The Slow Rush, Parker has orchestrated what could be his most revealing and mature record yet and possibly his most complex as well.
Tame Impala’s music has been defined by a distinct sense of atmosphere and sensation throughout their discography. On The Slow Rush, Parker seems to be focusing more on the former than the latter. While those who were expecting an album full of “The Less I Know The Better” might initially be perplexed, patient listening will yield its own unique set of rewards. Early track “Instant Destiny” is a euphoric retro-style synth-pop number featuring one of Parker’s most commanding vocal performances, and its elastic sound makes it a continuously engaging number. Elsewhere on the record, Parker’s conceptual ambitions come into play as on single track “Borderline” which utilizes its bouncy dance-pop style to house some of the record’s more intimate lyricism. On “Breathe Deeper” and “Posthumous Forgiveness,” Parker delves deep to explore issues of anxiety, grief, and his own personal relationships. Sonically, The Slow Rush’s production takes on an air of refinement over its predecessor, and its arrangements have a complexity and scope that allow them to feel organic and immersive.
What’s most compelling about The Slow Rush is how its strongest moments emerge from some of its most subtle. “On Track” finds Parker reflecting on his current well-being while also observing the changing of time around him. This wistfulness and humanity are at the core of The Slow Rush’s subject matter which gives listeners an examination of Parker’s psyche more so than maybe any other Tame impala recording. On past records, Parker’s lyrical concerns involved growth, time, and the inevitability of it all passing us by. On The Slow Rush, we find him addressing his mortality and existence in a manner that’s insightful, soulful, and features some of Parker’s most thoughtful performances and songwriting to date. At times, admittedly, The Slow Rush can feel one-note in its pacing and tempo,s but thanks to its level of artistry and sophistication, it remains an absorbing and artful experience.
The true mission statement and resonance of The Slow Rush are realized on closing track “One More Hour,” where all of Parker’s thematic ideas come together fully. The track showcases one of his most understated vocal performances, and Parker’s lyricism is some of his most elegant as he waxes poetic over time, lost connections, and nostalgia alongside some of the album’s richest and brightest production. It’s here that we witness the true scope of The Slow Rush as not just a modern alt-pop record but a look at Parker’s human experience rendered through moody, artful, and vibrant music. With a discography like Tame Impala’s, it’s increasingly hard to say, but judging by the results here, they’ll no doubt continue to be one of the most dynamic and fascinating acts of our time. Add in the fact that they can do so while chronicling the human experience – well, contrary to what Mr. Parker himself said, that doesn’t seem so crazy.
Songs to Spin: “One More Hour,” “On Track,” “Borderline,” “Instant Destiny”
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