By Weston Kelly
Although it was released in 2020, Tame Impala’s The Slow Rush has only recently entered my radar. The masterfully crafted album uses sounds and patterns unlike anything I have listened to, introducing me to a new, transcendent musical experience. The long songs follow Kevin Parker’s dramatic structure with powerful buildups and awe-inspiring choruses. Contrarily, the more compacted songs such as “Is It True” and “Glimmer” are filled to the brim with exceptional beats, entrancing basslines, and an encapsulating energy that cannot be replicated. Common throughout the album, however, are lyrics that cover topics of relationships and self worth, as well as efforts to cope with these struggles. Important in meaning and exquisite in sounds, The Slow Rush receives my highest praise.
My favorite track since my first listen, “Borderline” contains every component necessary to (in my opinion) a perfect song. The vocals have a melancholy tone and meaning; they appear to be questioning a relationship, unsure of whether or not to continue. The buildup begins with a moderately paced drum pattern to back up Kevin’s tenor vocals and melodic keys. Simple in structure, this layer is the perfect base for more complicated instrumentals to join the tune. Soon after, the groovy bass is introduced to add some more flavor. In order to dramatize the first chorus, the many components fade out for a short time before returning with passion. The drums, although unchanged, are highlighted by the moving bass and vocals. From this point on, “Borderline” continues the developed momentum with many small iterations of the chorus.
A close second, “Is It True” has a funkier rhythm and faster tempo, with an overall more energetic theme. The song takes no time to get into a groove, beginning with punchy bass and a tom-tom beat. Once again Parker delivers an exceptional tenor performance backed up by his creative use of synths and instruments. The chorus expands upon the syncopated rhythm, with jazzy vocals and a potent bassline that will get even the stiffest joints moving. Contrarily, the lyrics themselves tell a story of regretful decisions—making promises that can’t be kept. The upbeat song disguises the painful message delivered in the lyrics. Perfect for jamming out to with friends, “Is It True” is an underrated addition to the astounding The Slow Rush.
“One More Hour”, the concluding song on the track, spans 7 minutes and contains my favorite segment of any song. At approximately 3 minutes and 20 seconds into the song, the long-waited climax peaks in an explosion of complex drum fills, swooping synth sounds, and angelic vocals—a masterfully crafted and executed release to the musical tensions built up in the minutes prior. The remainder of the song has no outstanding moments; it exists as a slow descent from the intense peak to help wrap up the exceptional album.
Fortunately, The Slow Rush does not actually end on this track. Released a year later to the joyful cries of fans, The Slow Rush B-Sides & Remixes continued the legacy of Parker’s peak album. “Breathe Deeper (Lil Yachty Remix)” takes the psychedelic beat from the original song and adds Lil Yachty’s measured flow. Additionally, the rapper adapts incredibly well to the frequent beat and tempo switches and has verses that fit perfectly with the music. The song takes care to highlight both the creative instrumentals by Tame Impala and Yachty’s exceptional lyrics. The story it tells fits perfectly with The Slow Rush, also discussing uncertainty within a relationship, and the toll it takes on the mind. Elevating the original piece, “Breathe Deeper (Lil Yachty Remix)” serves as a prime example of psychedelic rap, a genre I didn’t know existed until now.