Currents- An Overlooked Piece of Art

Kevin Parker, released his latest album, “Currents”, on July 17, 2015. Parker is an Australian songwriter, producer, and the singer/guitarist for the band “Tame Impala”. Because his music is so complex and aesthetically appealing, it is hard to remember he’s a “one-man band”. Parker’s two previous albums were centered around loneliness, with the titles “InnerSpeaker” and “Lonerism”. However, in this album, the focus of his isolation from society has been halted and it seems that he has emerged into our, perceived to be, civilized world. The transition allows him to reflect on his past and consider his future in society, and this ever-changing world.

Much has changed since his- first home produced album. Previously his voice was almost muffled under the music, but in this album, his voice is prominent and strong. This is the first album that Parker has recorded all the instruments and mixed the music himself. It was recorded mostly in his home studio in Fremantle, Australia.

To engender a sense of anticipation in his fans, he released the single, “Let It Happen” prior to dropping his album. This song prepares the audience for his new mindset and views on life. It shows his recognition of his inability to control all aspects of his environment and his acceptance of this instability. This song is close to eight minutes in length in order to allow the audience to feel familiar with the beginning of the song, and then associating themselves with his newer and preferred style of a mix of multi-colored, consciousness bending genres. With his first releases, this allowed both old and even new fans to await his upcoming album.

Unlike his previous albums, Tame Impala conveys a mature message, and is produced more in a dance-oriented style of music. Each song is relatable, lulling and can tell a story of its own. For example, in the song, “Yes I’m Changing” he clearly focuses on his journey of progression; yet in his song, “ New Person, Same Old Mistakes” he contemplates his failure to acclimate to his new life. Although each individual song is equally pleasing to the ears, listening to the album all at once produces a psychedelic feeling.

Tame Impala's ability to create a disco, regressed atmosphere was completely overlooked. The genre binding, emotional, experimental soundtrack to his life is an intense out pour of his heart in his current stages of life. Although it is two years old, “Tame Impala” is an overlooked piece of art, and has not received the recognition it deserves. Kevin Parker created a near masterpiece and according to his progress so far, it appears his future work will continue to develop.