Currents by Tame Impala
When Currents landed in 2015, it felt like Kevin Parker’s love letter to every genre he’d secretly been flirting with while pretending to stay loyal to psych rock. If you were expecting more of the fuzzy guitars and cosmic jams of Lonerism, well, prepare yourself for a different trip entirely. With Currents, Parker veers off into a heady blend of synth-pop, R&B, and disco, all while maintaining that signature dreamy haze. It’s less about getting lost in space and more about dancing your way through a midlife crisis—and that’s a compliment.
Parker handles almost every detail on this album—writing, recording, producing, and mixing it himself from his home studio in Australia, which explains why the album feels so distinctly personal. You can practically hear him toying with his Roland Juno synths like a kid with a new toy set, turning every knob to see what happens. Gone are the reverb-soaked guitar walls of his past, replaced by shimmering synths and lush, groovy beats. Tracks like “Let It Happen” unfold over seven hypnotic minutes, full of psychedelic swirls and electronic flourishes that wouldn’t be out of place at an after-hours disco. Parker leans fully into his pop instincts here, crafting tracks that are infectiously danceable while still dripping with introspective melancholy.
Lyrically, Currents is practically a therapy session set to music. It’s a breakup album, but not just with a person—Parker seems to be severing ties with his old self, wrestling with change and coming out the other side a bit bruised, but wiser. Tracks like “Yes I’m Changing” make this pretty clear. The song floats through soft, warbling synths as Parker croons, “They say people never change, but that’s bullshit / They do.” It’s heartache wrapped in a pop melody, and somehow that makes it all the more gut-wrenching.
At times, the lyrics get a little indulgent, but isn’t that part of the charm? Parker lets you inside his head for a dizzying 51 minutes, making you feel like you’re not just listening to an album but experiencing a beautifully confusing existential journey.
“Let It Happen” is the crown jewel of Currents, an epic opener that sets the tone with its pulsating beat and dizzying transitions. It’s like Parker took the traditional song structure, crumpled it up, and threw it out the window in favor of something looser, freer, and way more fun.
“The Less I Know the Better” might just be the catchiest breakup anthem ever, with a bassline that hooks you right from the start and refuses to let go. It’s almost ironic how infectious the song is, given that it’s about wanting to know absolutely nothing about an ex’s new life.
“Eventually” hits like a slow-motion wave of sadness, pulling you under with its soft vocals and swelling production. The layered synths and melancholic lyrics come together in a moment of pure catharsis—you’ll be wiping away a tear before you even realize it’s happening.
As an album, Currents feels remarkably cohesive despite its genre-hopping tendencies. Parker manages to keep his experimental edge while weaving a consistent emotional thread throughout. The tracks bleed into each other in a way that feels intentional, with each song exploring a new facet of his internal struggle with change, love, and identity. Sure, the pacing dips in a couple of places, but overall, the album holds together like a well-woven tapestry of sound, emotion, and groove.
Currents is an album that dares to be both introspective and danceable, blending Kevin Parker’s psychedelic roots with his newfound love for synth-driven pop. It’s a bold evolution that might alienate some die-hard fans of his earlier work, but for those willing to follow him down this neon-lit rabbit hole, it’s a rewarding and deeply emotional journey. So yes, you can (and should) dance your way through your existential crisis with this album as your soundtrack.
