Five years after The Slow Rush, Tame Impala has returned with Deadbeat — a glowing, hypnotic collection that reaffirms Kevin Parker’s status as one of modern music’s most inventive producers. Released today (October 17) via Columbia Records, the album arrives after months of cryptic teasers, vinyl leaks, and speculation that had fans dissecting every clue.
Across its 12 tracks, Deadbeat dives into themes of nostalgia, disconnection, and rediscovery, all delivered through Parker’s signature blend of dreamlike synths and heady grooves. Written and recorded between his Wave House Studio in Injidup and his home in Fremantle, Australia, the album draws heavy influence from Western Australia’s bush doof rave culture — a scene rooted in open-air psychedelia and communal escapism.
The opening track, “My Old Ways,” sets the tone with shimmering synths and a pulsing rhythm, resulting in one of the best tracks on the record, alongside other standouts like “Dracula” and “Afterthought.”
Other highlights include “Loser,” an infectious single that dropped in September alongside a video starring Stranger Things actor Joe Keery, and “End of Summer,” the album’s seven-minute closer that swells into a euphoric crescendo of synths and reflection.
Deadbeat also carries a more personal touch than any previous Tame Impala record. The cover art — a candid photo of Parker with his young daughter, Peach — reflects the album’s deeper sense of grounding and growth. Where The Slow Rush examined the passing of time, Deadbeat looks inward, finding calm in chaos and connection in repetition. Below, we rank the album’s best songs.
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