“I tell myself I’m only human” – My Old Ways
15 years in and once again, Tame Impala has not missed. His newest album “Deadbeat” fresh from a five-year release hiatus brings us new sound and a new storyline of love. Perth, Australia’s Kevin Parker, the main man behind the alias, has been using his alternative psychedelic rock sound to drive listeners to the introspects of life.
One of the overarching themes that I have taken from Tame Impala’s discography is that even though there is versatility in the subject matter on the songs, they all have an abstract relation to the main title, giving the listeners a foreshadowing of the depth of the body of work. On Currents, there is an abstract relation of music and the natural ebbs and flows of life. The album cover shows a pendulum ball flowing through a current, disturbing the natural flow and titles including Eventually, Reality in Motion, Let It Happen and Yes I’m Changing help reinforce that dynamic.
On The Slow Rush, there is an abstract relation of music and time. The album cover shows a room filled with sand, relating how sand fills up an hourglass and titles including One More Year, Lost in Yesterday, It Might Be Time and One More Hour help reinforce that dynamic.
This new album bounces on the uncertainty that comes within parasocial relationships and the non-linear healing experience from them to become a better version of yourself. Apathy, self-sabotage, awareness – just some of the motifs that are explored on this album.
The cover is a complete paradox to the album name – Kevin is pictured holding one of his children while the album is literally named Deadbeat. Dracula, Loser, Ethereal Connection and Afterthought are all abstract titles that help reinforce that dynamic.
If we speak on literary terms, this album is a classic case of man vs. self. Through the album’s track progression, you can see the internal change within himself, going from a nonchalant man that cares of his own interests to a man that is facing that thought of letting someone in his life despite his own fears.
Here’s my breakdown of some of the standout tracks on this album.
“Temptation feels like it never ends” Our intro track, My Old Ways, touches on one of the many fatal flaws of humans – slipping back into your old habits that you thought you delivered from.
“I was so uptight and preoccupied that I did not ask about your life”. “I’m on the verge of caving in, I run back to the dark”.
Dracula is my current favorite. A man who has been so traumatized by life so much that darkness has become his home. He has perhaps found a love that potentially could be the light he so desperately wants but he feels too consumed by his demons to pursue this love. However, he declares “in the end, I hope it’s you and me”. “I’m out of favor, my worst behavior”
Directly after Dracula, Loser coincides perfectly. This is a man who feels sorry for himself and knows that he wrecks every good thing that happens to him. In order to truly love him, his lover must accept that he is literally a mess of a person that still hasn’t conquered loving himself.
“Are you parading all your lovers to bait me?” Afterthought is an intricate perspective of who is considered a priority in our lives and the realization that others that we care about may not prioritize us the same way.
That uncertainty can lead to doubt and feeling like you are actually not wanted. “Love doesn’t cast a shadow; fun doesn’t make you shallow” The outro track, End Of Summer, is the overarching feeling that was left by this love encounter that is this body of work’s subject.
The feeling that Kevin should have done more to rectify the relationship but his fears got in the way so he at least dilutes himself with the thought that they still have the potential that try again someday when he’s actually ready.
A man. A musician. A storyteller. Deadbeat is an introspective body of work that explores the trope of finding love at your worst that reshapes you as a person. You can watch the video for End of Summer here and tap into Tame Impala’s Deadbeat found on all major streaming platforms now.
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