The Slow Rush (studio album) by Tame Impala

From lleon79 03/13/2023 20:20

This album gets a lot of bad rep because of expectations, but I think it's really enjoyable. I liked it back when it came out, and I still like it a lot 3 years in. "One More Year" is easily one of my favorite Tame Impala songs, even though people here don't seem to like it. "Borderline", "Lost In Yesterday", "Breathe Deeper" and especially "It Might Be Time", are some amazing pop bangers. "Posthumous Forgiveness" is a slow burner, and I wouldn't ask for a better ending than "One More Hour", a song, that just like in his previous work, takes a while to get there, but the payoff is amazing, at least for me.

I hope this album gets a s l o w turnaround in reception. I admit it isn't his best, and actually, it may be his worst album to date, but to me, that still makes it a pretty great record.

From Strangel 05/25/2022 02:27

I’ve given this one time to settle. It’s good but it’s not a classic like his previous albums. It’s a bit harsh to expect classics on every release but he definitely hasn’t let us down too much. Very easy to listen to without making you nod knowingly at his genius.

From Jboy56 04/07/2022 07:13

I kinda liked this. Very accessible 2020's pop.

Another great album, probably their catchiest record. Breathe Deeper is probably my favourite Tame Impala song. Lost In Yesterday and Borderline are also great.

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For me Tame Impala Was the Best band of the lastdecade, but with this Kevin low into a little more Pop escene, this is not a bad album and he is going to improve his pop sound in the next one i know

Glad I finally listened to some Tame Impala! I imagine this isn't their best album and that I probably should've started with Lonerism, but I now know that they're pretty good and am definitely going to listen to more.

Not in any way awful, just very average sounding and massively disappointing in how the marvellous previous albums have set it up.

In terms of this site, the album really benefitted in being an early 2020 release, I’m just sat here willing it to drop out the top 10, which it will steadily do in mere weeks.

I'm guessing we won't be having Rihanna sing over any of these ones anyway

As easy listening as Tame Impala can be, Kevin Parker never seems afraid to lose old listeners, gain new ones and recycle that process on every new record. After falling in love with Lonerism he lost me a little with Currents. The album was promoted with the lead single and opened with "Let It Happen" possibly his greatest singular track but the rest of Currents seems to meander around with some strong individual moments but never quite coming together cohesively. Currents was hugely popular though as he hit a sweet spot of hazy sexy bops that proved extremely popular.

So it comes as no surprise that The Slow Rush has a largely muted response from a lot of long time Tame Impala fans and with the music community in general. It's not the modern revival psych rock critically adored Lonerism or the dreamy dance floor bedroom pop high selling Currents. It's a very understated album comparitively (though still contains at least 2 or 3 tracks with multiple sections ) and even the lead singles are either droning or just quiet ("Posthumous Forgiveness" a song about his mixed relationship with his recently passed father that is the most ambitious song on the album, was one of the first singles).

The album has large elements of bygone genres - 70s MOR (most obvious on "On Track") Disco ("Is It True") prog, soft rock...point being that the themes of nostalgia, memory and moving on is intentionally done through a filter of older listening FM radio vibes. This could be gimmicky but the songs are strong on their own and even stronger as a whole. It's his most complete album and it feels very intentional in its construction and cohesion (with the obvious beginning and end "One More.." tracks referring to the constant theme of time).

It's an album that kind of breezes by as nothingness the first time you listen to it but I think it does reward multiple listens and for me it's been the perfect compliment for 2020 as we've been forced to reflect and let go of ideas and beliefs and parts of ourself.