DISCOVERING DEADBEAT

An Intro to Kevin Parker’s New Tame Impala Album 

By Kylie Grebinar 

Graphic by Melissa Lemieux

Described by Hypebeast as a “club-psych exploration,” the new Tame Impala album, written, performed and produced by Kevin Parker, the mastermind behind the music, layers textured sounds inspired by rave culture. Unlike the emotional depth in previous albums such as Currents, Deadbeat follows more closely to The Slow Rush — disco-like, upbeat and filled with positive energy. 

“Dracula,” the third track and one of the first singles released for the new album, has a bubbly tempo comparable to “Borderline” from Tame Impala’s previous album. Its catchy hooks lodge themselves into your head on first listen. The title combined with its lyrics: “Stay in the dark to keep the party going,” suggest an anthem for all-night dancing. This track signals a switch from the artist’s previous psychedelic melodies to a disco-club vibe. 

Unlike Parker’s previous work, the next release, “Loser,” emphasizes lyrics rather than instrumentals. Its electronic beat is powerful and mirrors the repetitive vocal lines. The funk-driven production juxtaposes the song's lyrics, which when read alone, make the track seem melancholy. This is a classic Tame Impala move — making sadness feel euphoric through rhythm and beats.

By contrast, “End of Summer” feels closer to Parker’s earlier eras. More in line with Tame Impala’s past successes, it embodies the scope of the hit track “Let it Happen.” The piece focuses less on lyrics and more on the experimental beats Parker is known for, evoking a more personal, emotional and timeless quality. Halfway through, the hypnotic beats fade slightly and the disco-elements in “Dracula” and “Loser” come out. At just over seven minutes, “End of Summer” unfolds as a narrative of sound, prioritizing instrumentation and atmosphere over words. 

While still somewhat enjoyable, “Dracula” and “Loser” leave listeners longing for the 2010-era Kevin-Parker sound — euphoric beats and pensive lyrics woven subtly throughout a track. “End of Summer,” however, allows early Tame Impala fans to reminisce on the earliest albums. Whether the unreleased songs will parallel “Dracula” and “Loser”, or the immersive psychedelia of “End of Summer” remains uncertain. 

Still, it seems likely that many fans will prefer the latter — the more traditional Tame Impala sound. If “Dracula” and “Loser” are a daytime summer beach club in mid-July, then “End of Summer,” true to its name, feels like a late August night spent nostalgic for the moments that once were. 

Listen to the full album, available October 17.