VantaViper
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Tame Impala's Deadbeat Review: A Melancholic Exploration of Success and Isolation
Kevin Parker's unlikely journey from psychedelic rock to sugary pop has been a wild ride. Listening to The Bee Gees while high on magic mushrooms is the stuff of legend, prompting him to pivot away from his guitar-led sound and into the world of dance music. His foray into mainstream pop has been incredibly successful, with collaborations with Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Kanye West, Travis Scott, and The Weeknd under his belt.
However, behind the scenes, Parker's creative process reveals a more melancholic side. Deadbeat, Tame Impala's latest album, is an introspective exploration of trying to balance success with normality. On tracks like "Dracula" and "Piece of Heaven," Parker expresses self-loathing for enjoying himself, even as he should be at home with his loved ones.
The music itself is a fascinating blend of electronic beats and psychedelic textures. Ethereal Connection's pounding four-four beats are reminiscent of western Australia's rave scene, which has had a profound influence on the album. The dance influences are evident throughout, but occasionally feel forced, particularly in tracks like "Afterthought," where the addition of a catchy melody detracts from the impact.
Despite these moments of inconsistency, Deadbeat is an album that rewards close listening. Parker's lyrics reveal a deeply unsettled tone, with tracks like "My Old Ways" and "No Reply" mirroring the disjointed feel of their demo versions. The vocals are often interrupted by off-mic sighs and exclamations, adding to the sense of urgency and frustration.
Throughout the album, Parker seems to be drawn back from his creative triumphs, reflecting on what it means to be successful in a way that feels both genuine and painful. "Must be nice," he muses, sadly, as if comparing himself to those who enjoy their success without struggle. It's an honest and deeply human sound, one that suggests Parker is grappling with the consequences of his own success.
Ultimately, Deadbeat is an album about contradictions and complexities – a reminder that even in the midst of creative triumphs, life can be messy and unpredictable. As the curtain falls on this musical exploration, we're left wondering if Kevin Parker is okay, and whether he'll find his way back to himself amidst the noise of success.
Kevin Parker's unlikely journey from psychedelic rock to sugary pop has been a wild ride. Listening to The Bee Gees while high on magic mushrooms is the stuff of legend, prompting him to pivot away from his guitar-led sound and into the world of dance music. His foray into mainstream pop has been incredibly successful, with collaborations with Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Kanye West, Travis Scott, and The Weeknd under his belt.
However, behind the scenes, Parker's creative process reveals a more melancholic side. Deadbeat, Tame Impala's latest album, is an introspective exploration of trying to balance success with normality. On tracks like "Dracula" and "Piece of Heaven," Parker expresses self-loathing for enjoying himself, even as he should be at home with his loved ones.
The music itself is a fascinating blend of electronic beats and psychedelic textures. Ethereal Connection's pounding four-four beats are reminiscent of western Australia's rave scene, which has had a profound influence on the album. The dance influences are evident throughout, but occasionally feel forced, particularly in tracks like "Afterthought," where the addition of a catchy melody detracts from the impact.
Despite these moments of inconsistency, Deadbeat is an album that rewards close listening. Parker's lyrics reveal a deeply unsettled tone, with tracks like "My Old Ways" and "No Reply" mirroring the disjointed feel of their demo versions. The vocals are often interrupted by off-mic sighs and exclamations, adding to the sense of urgency and frustration.
Throughout the album, Parker seems to be drawn back from his creative triumphs, reflecting on what it means to be successful in a way that feels both genuine and painful. "Must be nice," he muses, sadly, as if comparing himself to those who enjoy their success without struggle. It's an honest and deeply human sound, one that suggests Parker is grappling with the consequences of his own success.
Ultimately, Deadbeat is an album about contradictions and complexities – a reminder that even in the midst of creative triumphs, life can be messy and unpredictable. As the curtain falls on this musical exploration, we're left wondering if Kevin Parker is okay, and whether he'll find his way back to himself amidst the noise of success.
it's so deep & melancholic i love how kevin parker is being honest about struggling w/ success & isolation 
the music is like a fusion of psychedelic rock & electronic beats, its so infectious! but what really gets me is the lyrics, he's like reflecting on his own struggles w/ fame & happiness and it feels super relatable 
i mean we've all been there right? trying 2 balance our passions w/ reality life. anyway, 10/10 would rec this album 2 anyone who wants to explore some heavy emotions through music 
i swear his songwriting has gotten so much better since he stopped being so whiny about it lol just had to listen to this tame impala album for like 2 seconds before my mind started wandering back to what i need to pick up at the grocery store later yeah deadbeat is cool and all but gotta say those bee gees references are getting old 
the production on deadbeat is so unique too, it's like he took all these different influences and mashed them together into something entirely new 
his music is literally the soundtrack to my anxiety 
deadbeat is like a really honest and vulnerable album, you can hear him crying on track after track 
it's like he's trying to balance this whole carefree psychedelic thing with being a functioning adult and i'm just over here like same kevin please 
and ethereal connection is like my jam 
the problem is that sometimes it feels like kevin's trying too hard to fit into this mainstream pop vibe and it doesn't quite work for me 
i mean, what's up with the melodic tracks? can't he just leave them alone lol anyhoo i think deadbeat is a really brave album, it's not always easy listening but it's so raw and honest 
kevin parker's vocals are giving me all the feels, especially on tracks like "My Old Ways" and "No Reply" where it's like he's literally screaming his thoughts straight to you 
i mean, can't relate to enjoying life too much? 
but at the same time i love how they blended electronic beats with psychedelic textures - it's like they're having a party in your ears 
and "Dracula" is straight fire 
. It's not always easy listening, but that's part of its appeal - it's like you're getting a glimpse into Parker's inner world, even if he doesn't want to show it off 
.
... but at the same time, I'm kinda worried that Kevin Parker might be losing himself in all this commercial success 
. Like, don't get me wrong, he's still a total genius and his music is still super chill and psychedelic, but there's something about how he's struggling with it on this album that makes me want to reach out and tell him everything will be okay 
. Either way, I'm gonna listen to Deadbeat like, a million times and try to decipher the meaning behind it all 
... or maybe I'll just put on some sunglasses and dance to the beat 
... wait, what was I saying?