The Comeback of Tame Impala

Nora Geoghegan

Staff Writer

On Sept. 4, Tame Impala announced the release of his fifth studio album “Deadbeat”, set to be released on Oct. 17, along with two online only vinyl variants.

Kevin Parker, the sole figure behind Tame Impala, hasn’t released new music since the Billboard 200 chart-topping “The Slow Rush”, which came out in Feb. of 2020. During this break, Parker had also become a father to two children, won a grammy for “Best Dance/Electronic Recording” for Justice’s “Neverender”, which he’s the sole vocalist on, and co-founded a musical instrument company called Telepathic Instruments. Given that Parker is a newfound father, the potential for that perspective to be featured heavily on the album is very likely, considering that his daughter is on the cover of the album.

So far, Parker has released two singles titled “End of Summer” and “Loser”. Both tracks have music videos with Joe Keery playing Parker in “Loser”. Both singles have a “house” sound to it, which Parker has never released before. Both tracks have been well received by both fans and casual listeners alike, with Parker’s catchy instrumentals and towering vocals.

Parker spoke in depth with GQ about “Deadbeat”. “‘Deadbeat’ is a feeling of being behind the eight ball in life and in the world, of not being able to get your s*** together, of being an inferior human—an inferior human,” he says, really leaning into that last part. “And that’s depressing until I wear it as a badge, and then I feel good about it, stronger. If I can walk into a room of people and they know that I’m a deadbeat, that I’m a f****** piece of s***, then I’m going to have a better time. The expectation for me to be the guy with his s*** together is gone.”

In addition, the album is said to take on a different sound and genre different to his previous albums. According to Variety, the album is inspired by bush doof culture, which are electronic music festivals held in the bushlands. This style of music was popularized in the Western Australian rave scene.

“Deadbeat” is set to be one of the most unique and sonically complex albums of 2025, as well as a new favorite amongst fans.