Australian musical visionary Kevin Parker, known as Tame Impala, is reportedly signaling a significant shift in his artistic direction, with recent hints pointing towards a new album potentially embracing deep house elements. This development has stirred considerable discussion among fans, particularly those nostalgic for his earlier psychedelic rock sound. The speculation gained traction following a tweet from user Nic Carter, who stated, "> tame impala is releasing a deep house album. it's over innerspeaker bros. psychedelic kevin is never coming back."
Parker has been subtly teasing new music, with reports indicating cryptic social media posts and the live debut of a new track during a DJ set at Primavera Sound. One phrase, "iwaitedtiltheendofsummerandiranoutoftime," was reportedly discovered within the code of Tame Impala's official website, further fueling anticipation for a fifth studio album. A clip of a new song, potentially titled 'End Of Summer,' also surfaced, hinting at the evolving sound.
This rumored genre exploration aligns with Parker's recent collaborative work, which has increasingly ventured into electronic and dance music. Notably, he recently won a Grammy for "Neverender," a collaboration with French electronic duo Justice, and also contributed to Dua Lipa's 2024 album Radical Optimism. These projects showcase his growing comfort and interest in producing music beyond the traditional psychedelic rock framework that defined his early career.
Tame Impala's sound has steadily evolved since the release of his debut album, Innerspeaker, in 2010. Subsequent albums like Currents (2015) and The Slow Rush (2020) saw Parker incorporate more synth-pop, disco, and electronic elements, moving away from the guitar-driven psychedelia. This progression suggests a natural artistic trajectory towards a more house-influenced sound, fulfilling Parker's previously expressed desire for his music to resonate in dance club settings. The potential shift marks a bold new chapter for Tame Impala, signaling a departure from the "psychedelic Kevin" of his foundational works.