Tame Impala, otherwise known as the iconic one-man band-style Kevin Parker, released his long-awaited fourth studio album titled “The Slow Rush” on Feb. 14, 2020.
The last album Tame Impala released was “Currents” in 2015. “Currents” grabbed every indie music lover’s attention and received a solid 9.3 out of 10 by “Pitchfork,” which defines their outlet as being “The Most Trusted Voice in Music.”
Many devoted fans questioned how Parker could surpass his infamous breakup record “Currents” that was an album about the past relationships he had, and that ended on one of the songs that defined the decade—“New Person, Same Old Mistakes.”
Parker delivers a smooth, melancholic and psychedelic sound in his newest work. Parker has recorded, produced and mixed the entire album himself.
Parker got married in Feb. 2019. This pivotal moment in his life is definitely displayed in “The Slow Rush” through the upbeat acoustics and the process of beginning a new chapter.
The album ends with Parker questioning how so much time has passed on “One More Hour,” how there is only one more hour left and to truly live in the moment. He sings, “Just a moment/Right before all the singing ends/Wasn’t brave enough to tell you/That there ain’t gonna be another chance.” Parker has said these words before on “Keep On Lying” on his 2012 album “Lonerism,” but this time they are said with underlying happiness and not loneliness.
Parker has emphasized these themes in past interviews, saying that he wants his songs to feel as time is passing and how life flashes before our eyes.
Tame Impala has slowly drifted into the public eye again by headlining Coachella, Primavera, Lollapalooza, ACL and Splendour in the Grass, and with accompanying arena shows all within the past year.
Tame Impala released five singles within the past year. Kicking off the early spring with the upbeat tracks “Patience” and “Borderline,” the songs put a good taste in fans’ mouths for what was to come.
Six long months later, Tame Impala came to streaming sites to drop the third track “It Might Be Time,” which is track number 10 out 12 on the new 57-minute album. This track is Parker admitting he has been lost before, but this is the year of growth as he starts a new chapter with his wife, Sophie Lawerence. Parker shouts, “You may as well embrace it,” as he copes with the concept of growing up in a positive way.
“Posthumous Forgiveness” and “Lost In Yesterday” continued the streamline of new Tame Impala songs.
These singles consisted of Parker asking multiple questions. In the single “Lost in Yesterday,” he sings, “Does it help to get lost in yesterday,” and in “Posthumous Forgiveness” Parker asks “Did you think I’d never know?/Did you hope I’d never doubt?”
Parker’s main themes in his albums are to highlight the disconnection from society and isolation by asking questions in his music. Yet, “The Slow Rush” takes a different approach as it goes through periods in his life, and how he is getting “On Track” a new song on the album.
“The Slow Rush” is a result of Parker’s perfectionism and the world begging for more groovy tunes after “Currents.”
The new album can be accessed through every music streaming site and can be heard live as Tame Impala kicks off a five-month arena tour beginning in San Diego on Mar. 9. Parker will also be playing in Denver at the Pepsi Center on Jul. 30.
