Tame Impala – Currents (2xLP)

Currents, released on July 17, 2015, is Tame Impala’s third studio album and a milestone in Kevin Parker’s evolution as a songwriter and producer. Entrenched in lush synth textures, grooving bass lines, and refined electronic flourishes, the record marks a deliberate turn away from the guitar-driven psychedelia of previous work. Parker composed, recorded, performed, and produced **Currents** entirely by himself in his home studio, bringing a singular vision to every layer of the sound. Thematically, the album grapples with transformation, introspection, heartbreak, and the often fraught journey of self-acceptance—concepts tied closely to Parker’s own transitions in life.

Tracks like “Let It Happen,” “The Less I Know the Better,” “Eventually,” and “Yes I’m Changing” demonstrate how Parker marries experimental studio techniques with deeply emotive songwriting. The album unfolds like a flowing river of sound, alternating between euphoric synth-pop momentum and quieter, reflective passages. Currents challenged expectations of what a Tame Impala album could be and broadened his audience by bridging indie-psych and contemporary electronic sensibilities. Over the years, it has come to be honored not only as one of his most ambitious works but as a defining record of modern psych-pop.

Reviews

“Nearly every proper song on Currents is a revelatory statement of Parker’s range and increasing expertise as a producer, arranger, songwriter, and vocalist while maintaining the essence of Tame Impala.” – Pitchfork

“Even if his explorations only get him as far as his next song, it’s a trip worth taking.” – Rolling Stone