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

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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.
 
omg u guys i just listened 2 tame impalas new album deadbeat 🤯 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'm not sure I buy all this melancholy vibe around Tame Impala's new album. I mean, has Kevin Parker ever released a song that wasn't kinda psychedelic or dance-influenced? It feels like he's just experimenting with different sounds and styles – it doesn't necessarily scream "personal struggle". The Bee Gees reference is cool, but maybe not as deep as the article makes it out to be. Still, I do think the album has some standout tracks that showcase Parker's production skills 🎶
 
omg have you seen that new ep from Rex Orange County 🤣 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 🙃
 
omg i love how kevin parker is being so honest about struggling with his own success 🤯 like who hasn't felt that way right?! i'm totally feeling him on "my old ways" - it's like he's saying all this stuff out loud and we're all just nodding along, am i right? 🤗 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 🎶 can't wait to see what kevin does next 💥
 
omg i feel so bad for kevin parker 🤕 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 🤣 but seriously though the electronic beats are so fire 🔥 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 🤗 does anyone else feel like kevin's just having a midlife crisis or something? 😂
 
omg i'm so here for Tame Impala's new album Deadbeat 🤯 it's like they took all these emotions they've been bottling up since their last album and just let them go in this crazy beautiful mess of a record 🌪️ 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 🔥 the only thing keeping me from giving it a 10/10 is that some tracks feel a bit forced, like when they throw in those catchy melodies 😐 but overall, this album is a total reflection of kevin's emotional state - all highs and lows, contradictions and complexities 🤯
 
I'm still trying to wrap my head around Tame Impala's latest album Deadbeat 🤔. It's like they took all these catchy pop hooks and electronic beats, but then Parker just kinda... breaks down 😩. Like, we get it, being successful isn't all fun and games. I love how the vocals have those little pauses and sighs - it makes you feel like he's having an actual conversation with himself 🗣️.

The dance influences are definitely a bit jarring at times (I mean, who thought it was a good idea to put a catchy melody on "Afterthought"?), but I think that's what makes Deadbeat so interesting. It's like Parker is constantly trying to balance these different parts of himself - the party guy and the dude who's struggling with success. And honestly, it feels super relatable 🤗.

Overall, I think this album is a really honest exploration of what it means to be successful and how that can affect your mental health 🧠. 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 😊.
 
I'm like totally stoked about Tame Impala's new album Deadbeat 🤩... 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 🤗... but then again, maybe I'm just reading too much into it and it's all just part of the creative process 😎. 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?
 
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