I always keep a note on what albums I've listened to and what are on the proverbial pile. As the year has gone on, I've listened to many good, heck, even great albums. But nothing close to outstanding and although there are some records on the pile which I'm hyped for and can only hope they succeed beyond previous releases, I didn't know where to place Tame Impala's newest record.
Like many, I heard Elephant, liked Elephant, gave the album Elephant was on a spin, gave the album before the one Elephant was on a spin too, liked most of it although felt there was room for improvement and life moved on.
I never had a chance to listen to the singles preceding Current's general release but presumed it was more of the same and would get around to it.
Whilst Tame Impala's previous albums Innerspeaker and Lonerism went for sonically satisfying journeys of psychedelic-rock with frontman Kevin Parker's vocals hitting a similar style to John Lennon; Currents is a massive change and evolution in sound and style.
In his own words; it's his attempt at making something like The Bee Gee's Stayin' Alive which, in every other scenario, should be an unmitigated disaster.
It should be, but strangely and surprisingly, it's not.
Parker has managed to create a record which sounds like what Julian Casablancas, Dev Hynes, Daft Punk and a whole heap of other artists have tried and mostly failed to do; create a near perfect homage to 70's pop with the new bells and whistles from modern record producing.
Although at thirteen tracks and nearly an hour in length, the record at first glance can be an intimidating listen; it's a mercifully easy one. Beginning with Let It Happen; ironically one of the more modern sounding tracks, this seven minute wonder has humble beginnings with a catchy synth chord progression but quickly begins introducing obvious record skips and cuts. It never dulls nor loses interest and perfectly demonstrates many of the longer tracks found on the album.
Thankfully, the record does introduce three shorter tracks for breathing space. Whilst two are nothing more than the briefest of experimental interludes; Disciples on the second half of the record is the closest to a throwback to the older days.
Parker's falsetto and tone are noticeably improved and more distinct from his two earlier albums which again, you could mistaken for Lennon. Sure, some may say it's not too distinct for a vocalist to utilise falsetto in this particular genre of music, but, it never sounds forced and often you find yourself singing along with the catchy lyrics in the same style (especially on the chorus for 'Cause I'm a Man and Yes I'm Changing).
There's more experimentation involving what I think is Parker's vocals on Past Life. The track, which features a pitch shifted spoken word segment, concerning the daily routine of it's protagonist starts off as a simple synth and drum led track, but Parker's unshifted vocals come in and the sonic, sunkissed wail of guitars fill to the end. It's a bizarre but brilliant track although one can only wonder whether it could be played live.
My favourite track at the time of writing comes at the midpoint of the album. The Less I Know the Better starts off with a low sample of guitar chords and quickly builds more layers of synths and bass, before Parker again utilises his catchy vocals. It's easily the poppiest song ever released under the Tame Impala label but I can't get enough of it.
Production wise; the record is lush with multiple layers of whirling synthesisers, intentional cuts and repeats and just overall; sounds gorgeous. My first listen to the record was on a relatively low volume setting but you could make out the individual layers of sound. When I replayed it on a much louder setting; elements such as the bass, vocals and synths are pushed to the forefront making it a delightful battle between rock and pop.
Again, the elephant in the room is the massive shift in style from Tame Impala's two previous albums. If you were hoping for a sequel to Lonerism filled with fuzzy guitars, catchy basslines and psychedelic soundscapping, you're probably going to be disappointed.
Ironically; despite all the pro-tools and synthesisers; Currents sounds like a natural evolutionary change for Parker and, in my humble opinion, it's not only Tame Impala's best album and one of the best albums of the year thus far, but the album Parker was always meant to make.
A rewarding album which, if you can set aside your expectations, may surprise you as a long term favourite.
9/10
H
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