With Tame Impala not having released an album in five years, the hype surrounding Deadbeat grew significantly ahead of its Oct. 17 release. Lead singer Kevin Parker subtly hints at a new stage in his life as a married man with children. In a recent interview with GQ, Parker reflected on the album, saying, “All my shortcomings, everything I hate about me, it evaporates. None of that matters because I have just made this thing, and that’s all I need. It’s, unfortunately, short-lived.”
Parker opens up the album with a distinct song in “My Old Ways”. He refrains from using auto tune in the first minute to build up a melancholic feeling to the song just to descend into a very strong piano beat that is portrayed throughout the rest of the track.
A recurring theme throughout the album is Parker’s embrace of dance-influenced music, relying heavily on electronic production and minimal lyrics. One example is “Ethereal Connection,” a track closely tied to rave culture. This contrasts with “Piece of Heaven,” widely considered one of his most emotional pieces.
The standout track by far is “Dracula”, which has racked up over 80 million plays in just over six weeks. Its upbeat sound makes it a prime example of Parker’s shift toward dance-driven music. It stands out due to its playful theme, which contrasts with the rest of the album. The song begins with a hint of a supernatural feel, but quickly shifts to the upbeat tone that Parker aims to embody.
Other songs, such as “Loser” and “My Old Ways” are prime examples of Tame Impala’s original music. They capture that psychedelic synth-pop essence that his music embodies. These tracks evoke the extraterrestrial feeling of fans.
Overall, Tame Impala’s earlier work may resonate more strongly with longtime listeners, but this album is really trying to emit something different. Parker wants his music to be more engaging and that really worked with “Dracula”. By releasing this album, Tame Impala has added more variety to his music, and that could be very impactful in the future, with possible collaborations or further improvement in this new wave of music he’s exploring.
