No Longer a Loner, Kevin Parker Tries Out Pop Stardom on The Slow Rush
Tame Impala return like you’ve never heard them before

In 2012, Kevin Parker was an introvert. It’s no wonder he titled his now classic sophomore record Lonerism: Those 12 songs document the internal anger, anxiety and social self-sabotage of a man who so badly wanted to be personable and in love, but was legitimately unable to even muster up the courage to talk to a woman he was interested in. Over the best and most inventive psychedelic rock instrumentals in decades, Parker let all of his apprehensions and regrets out, knowing full well he’s “gotta be above it now” and that he “can’t let them bring me down” though he’s long realized they will. Optimism led him astray. He felt like he was only going backwards, and he was left wondering why won’t they talk to him.
Eight years later, things are wildly different. Headlining festivals and writing for pop and rap stars, Kevin Parker is finally confident. He’s now wondering aloud about getting a home in Miami, going and getting married and tattooing her name on his arm (“Instant Destiny”) and thinking back on how he was feeling a year prior when he had no cares in the world (“One More Year”). He’s such a changed man that he even admits to being unable to identify with his old records: “There’s no use trying to relate to that old song,” he croons at the beginning of “Tomorrow’s Dust.”
That change isn’t only confined to his lyrics; The Slow Rush sounds nothing like Lonerism. If anything, it represents the natural progression for an artist who fully blew up when Rihanna covered the ultra-smooth, poppy Currents highlight “New Person, Same Old Mistakes,” the very same track Donald Glover used throughout his Atlanta ad campaign, and began writing alongside Travis Scott and Lady Gaga. Of course this is a pop album at heart.
It’s not like he wanted to be anything other than a pop star from the beginning, either. Though he’s one of the most talented guitarists and producers of his generation, he’s long talked about his obsession with Britney Spears in interviews, even once going so far as to say, “I also have a desire to sound like Britney Spears. I love pop music and bad plastics.” He doesn’t sound like Britney Spears on The Slow Rush, but knowing that he’s long been a fan of her take on bubblegum pop, it makes a bit more sense.
So throw out whatever preconceptions you had about Tame Impala’s past work, and ask yourself this question: Is this a good pop album?