Tame Impala: Deadbeat review | Alexis Petridis’s album of the week

Tame Impala's 'Deadbeat' Review: A Melancholic Masterpiece Amidst Pop Clichés

Kevin Parker's latest album as Tame Impala, Deadbeat, presents a fascinating paradox. On one hand, it showcases the artist's uncanny ability to effortlessly blend into mainstream pop's upper echelons, having collaborated with an array of high-profile artists in recent years. This has led to a reputation for being effortlessly cool and collected, a persona that he cultivated during his time as Kevin Parker, the enigmatic figurehead behind psychedelic outfit Tame Impala.

However, upon closer inspection, Deadbeat reveals itself to be a more complex and introspective work than initially meets the eye. The album's themes of disconnection, isolation, and the struggle to balance success with personal life are poignantly conveyed through Parker's lyrics, which veer from melancholic musings on domesticity and family to anguished expressions of self-loathing.

Musically, Deadbeat is a study in contrasts. While Parker has long been associated with his psychedelic soundscapes, the album sees him embracing a more dance-oriented approach, incorporating elements of Western Australia's "bush doof" rave scene into its beats and electronic textures. This shift is most evident on tracks like Ethereal Connection and Afterthought, which showcase Parker's aptitude for crafting infectious, four-four rhythms.

Yet, not all songs fare equally well in this new light. The melodic addition to Afterthought, in particular, feels forced, reducing the track's impact. Similarly, the pop-tinged No Reply wears thin by the end of its runtime, a testament to Parker's tendency to occasionally lean too heavily on his pop sensibilities.

A more striking aspect of Deadbeat is how it mirrors the unsettled tone of its lyrics. Tracks like My Old Ways and No Reply juxtapose gleaming production with rougher, demo-like piano versions, illustrating the artist's willingness to confront the imperfections of his craft head-on. Even the otherwise euphoric Loser features Parker breaking down in a series of exasperated sighs and exclamations, serving as a poignant reminder that even behind the glossy facade of pop, art often lies in the cracks.

Ultimately, Deadbeat is an album about complexity and contradiction – a messy, confessional work that defies easy categorization. It is both a treatise on trying to balance success with personal life, and an honest exploration of the turmoil that can accompany fame. If it sometimes veers into clichéd pop territory, its pains and vulnerabilities shine through all the more starkly.

In short, Deadbeat is not without its flaws, but it remains a testament to Parker's remarkable range and skill as an artist – one that continues to defy expectations, even if only occasionally falling back upon overused tropes.

omg I'm OBSESSED with Tame Impala's new album deadbeat!!! Kevin Parker is like the ultimate master of blending psychedelic vibes with pop sensibilities and it's so refreshing to see him push boundaries on his latest project I love how he tackles themes of disconnection and isolation through his lyrics - it's so relatable but what really gets me is how he experiments with different sounds, from dance-oriented beats to rougher demo-like piano versions... it's like he's having the most epic internal conflict and we're all invited to witness it my fave track so far has gotta be loser - that breakdown at the end gives me CHILLS

I just saw this thread about Tame Impala's new album Deadbeat , and I gotta say... I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. I mean, Kevin Parker's always been known for his psychedelic vibes, but this album feels like a different beast altogether. It's like he's trying to make pop music that's actually, you know, meaningful . Don't get me wrong, the beats are fire and all, but sometimes I feel like it's all just a bit too polished? Like, can't we have some imperfections for once? Still, I think that's what makes Deadbeat so interesting - it's like Parker's trying to balance out his cool-guy persona with something more authentic . Overall, it's an album that'll make you feel all the feels, but also probably leave you questioning its intentions

I love how Kevin Parker pushes boundaries with Tame Impala's new album 'Deadbeat'. It's like he's embracing the highs and lows of success, you know? The way he blends psychedelic soundscapes with dance beats is straight fire . But what really gets me is how he confronts his own demons through music – it's so relatable! I mean, who hasn't struggled to balance personal life with fame and pressure? Parker does a great job of capturing that feeling.

My only gripe would be some of the pop elements that feel a bit forced . But overall, 'Deadbeat' feels like a true reflection of Kevin's growth as an artist – it's messy, it's real, and it's totally worth a listen . Have you checked out this album yet?

omg i feel so seen on deadbeat kevin parker's latest album is like the ultimate reflection of our generation's struggles with adulthood and fame like he's not afraid to get messy and real about his emotions, even if it means incorporating some cheesy pop bits . personally i think my old ways & loser are some of the standout tracks - they're so hauntingly beautiful and raw but at the same time, i can totally see why some songs might feel a bit forced or clichéd overall tho, deadbeat is like the ultimate confessional album - it's like kevin's being super honest about his own demons and insecurities, and that's really relatable

omg i just listened to tame impala's new album deadbeat and i'm so here for it! but also kinda frustrated at the same time? like kevin parker is literally a genius, but sometimes his songs can be super formulaic pop-wise he has this amazing ability to balance psychedelic vibes with more mainstream hooks, but sometimes it feels like he's trying too hard to appeal to a wider audience and don't even get me started on the production quality - some tracks are SO polished, while others feel like they're straight out of his demos what do you guys think? is deadbeat a masterpiece or just a bunch of pop clichés masquerading as something deeper

I just read this review of Tame Impala's new album and I gotta say, I'm still trying to process everything. I mean, Kevin Parker is like a masterful storyteller or something . He's got this ability to weave these intricate narratives through his lyrics that just draw you in and won't let go. And the music? Forget about it, it's like he's taking all these different styles and emotions and blending them into this wild, psychedelic ride .

But what I loved most about this review is how it breaks down the album's contradictions. Like, yeah, Parker does lean on some pop clichés sometimes, but that just makes his willingness to experiment even more impressive. And honestly, I think that's part of the beauty of Deadbeat – it's like a reflection of our messy, imperfect lives .

And can we talk about the production quality for a sec? The way they switch between those shiny, polished tracks and the rougher, more demo-like ones is just genius . It's like Parker is saying, "Hey, I know I've got a reputation to uphold, but at the end of the day, this is art, not some carefully crafted pop image."

I gotta say, I'm still on the fence about this Tame Impala album, Deadbeat . On one hand, it's like Kevin Parker is trying too hard to be "cool" and experiment with new sounds - that pop section on No Reply feels kinda forced, you know? But at the same time, I love how he's not afraid to get real about his struggles with success and fame . And them contrast between the polished production and more raw piano versions... it's like he's showing us that even behind the glamour of pop, there's still vulnerability and imperfection .

I mean, I appreciate how he's not trying to stick to one genre or sound - that's what makes Deadbeat feel like a genuine reflection of Parker's artistry . And yeah, it's got its share of catchy hooks... but sometimes it feels like those pop sensibilities get in the way of something more meaningful .

For me, though, it's about how Parker uses his platform to explore these complex emotions and ideas - even if it doesn't always feel totally cohesive . Still worth a listen, I guess .

deadbeat is a super interesting album - its like kevin parker is trying to balance this whole 'cool' image he has with being really honest about his inner struggles meanwhile the production is so on point i love how ethereal connection and afterthought sound like they were ripped straight from a western australia rave but yeah, some of the pop parts feel kinda forced, you know when you're trying to be cool but it comes out as try-hard

i loved this album deadbeat has such a strong vibe atm - kevin parker's songwriting is so honest it feels like you're reading his diary and the production is on point too! but i agree with u, some tracks do feel like they're relying too heavily on pop cliches like no reply, which is a shame coz i love that track normally. but overall, deadbeat's all about complexity and contradictions, which makes it so fascinating to listen to

so i just listened to tame impala's new album deadbeat and honestly i'm still reeling from the experience it's like kevin parker is having a super honest conversation with you through his music - about how he feels disconnected from everything, including himself at times it sounds super melancholic, but other times it's like he's embracing this whole 'cool guy' persona that people have built up around him

the production on the album is wild too - it's like parker took all these different influences and mashed them together into something totally new i mean, you can hear the 'bush doof' rave scene vibes in some tracks, which is really cool but at the same time there are moments where it feels a bit forced or try-hard

overall though, deadbeat feels like this really raw and emotional album that's not afraid to explore its own complexities it's like parker is saying 'yeah, i've got all these expectations on me as an artist, but what if i just mess up?' and honestly, it's super relatable

I gotta say, I love how Tame Impala's latest album, Deadbeat, explores themes of disconnection and isolation . It's like Kevin Parker is speaking straight from his own experiences as a musician . The way he blends pop with psychedelic elements is so interesting - it's like he's trying to find a balance between being cool and being vulnerable . But at the same time, some of the songs feel a bit formulaic, you know? Like, I get that he's experimenting with new sounds, but sometimes it feels like he's playing it too safe . Overall though, Deadbeat is still an amazing album - it's just... complex . And honestly, I think that's part of what makes it so great .

I gotta say, I'm really impressed with Tame Impala's new album Deadbeat . The guy Kevin Parker is so talented, but at the same time, it's like he's trying too hard to fit in with mainstream pop . I mean, some songs are just straight fire, like Ethereal Connection and My Old Ways, where you can tell he's really letting loose and being himself.

But then there are other tracks that feel kinda forced or like he's trying to be something he's not . Like Afterthought, which is a great song, but the pop part feels like it was tacked on. And don't even get me started on No Reply .

What I love about Deadbeat though is how raw and honest it feels. The lyrics are super introspective and you can tell Kevin's been through some tough times. It's like he's not afraid to show his vulnerabilities, which is really admirable .

Overall, I think Deadbeat's a masterpiece, even if it's not perfect . It's like, yeah, there are some clichéd pop parts, but that just makes the good stuff shine all the more.

omg i love this album so much!! deadbeat feels like the real deal, you know? kevin parker is all about embracing his emotions on this record and it totally pays off. those introspective lyrics tho... they're like a punch in the gut but good. i can already tell why people are gonna be talking about this album for ages as for the production, some tracks feel like they could've been cut down a bit - afterthought's melody gets kinda forced? and no reply starts to drag by the end... but overall, the messy-ness of it all is what makes deadbeat so compelling. like, it's not afraid to show its cracks