Tame Impala Returns With New Song 'End of Summer'

Tame Impala Drops First Solo Track in Five Years

Tame Impala has put out a new single, "End of Summer," which is the first official solo release from the Australian music project since 2020. The new track dropped on July 25, is a little over seven minutes long, and presents fans with something new as it mixes dance music into Tame Impala's psychedelic formula.

Tame Impala has primarily been fronted by Kevin Parker who is a multi-instrumentalist and producer. Parker has not been releasing anything solo for quite some time now. The last Tame Impala album, The Slow Rush, was released back in 2020, and since then he has worked as a collaborator and soundtrack composer. "End of Summer" appears to be a sign of Parker's return and the possibility of a new album cycle.

It is also worth noting that this is Parker's first new single under Columbia Records, since he has previously worked with Modular and Interscope Records in the past. This may suggest a new era both musically and globally for Tame Impala.

Earlier this year Parker teased the track by asking fans to 'clear 7 minutes' from their calender in a cryptic social media video. Following this, it was previewed in April when Parker played it as part of a DJ set at Primavera Sound in Barcelona, surprising the audience with a short snippet.

"End of Summer" was released nearly exactly 10 years after Currents—Tame Impala's breakout record that contained "Let It Happen," "The Less I Know the Better," and countless other unforgettable hits. Currents catapulted Parker into one of the foremost contributors to modern psychedelic pop, while also forging a major stylistic shift toward synth-pop and disco.

Many fans do not believe that timing is coincidental, and may be indicative of the new track representing a parallel evolution that Currents presented. If this is the case, then "End of Summer" could be the very first taste of a reinvention that represents something as grand as the one fans witnessed between Lonerism (2012) and Currents.

Tame Impala's official Instagram posted a Reel announcing the release of "End of Summer." The Reel features a stylized video of a couple standing beside a motorbike at dusk that fits the title and mood of the song, alongside the caption "End Of Summer." The post let the video and the music do most of the talking. Fans quickly responded with excitement, and many wondered if a full album would follow.

 

 

 

 

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A New Direction With Familiar Roots

“End of Summer” has a completely different feel from Tame Impala’s prior releases. With a heavy focus on acid house/club-inspired beats, “End of Summer” retains the dreaminess and layered production that Tame Impala fans are accustomed to having in their lives.

The song starts with atmospheric synths that gradually build to a steady and driving dance beat. The track is much more rooted in electronics than earlier singles and more rhythmically driven, with fewer lyrics and focus on mood and pacing.

Initial responses included fans and music critics who are guessing Parker is blowing through some new territory yet despite these forays into new genres is still showcasing the elements we have come to know from Tame Impala in the entire arc of the project’s timeline. The end result is a track that feels reminiscent and futuristic; a step forward while recalling the influence of ’90s dance music while still carrying forward the modern psychedelic pop that has made Tame Impala’s project a global phenomenon.

Although there has not been anything official regarding a new album, the signs point to one coming soon!  In the last few months, Parker has teased us with behind the scenes studio photos with 13 finished tracks labeled. Also, the timing coincides with the 10th anniversary of Currents, (2015) the record that turned Tame Impala into a household name. 

After The Slow Rush, Parker has done multiple large scale projects including the Barbie movie soundtrack, worked with French electronic duo Justice, and won a Grammy for best dance/electronic recording for his work on "Neverender." These various projects have kept his name in the public sphere but "End of Summer" is the first we are seeing of him moving forward with Tame Impala specifically.

"End of Summer" provides a definite sign to fans while we wait for more news: Kevin Parker is here, and he is not going to play it safe moving forward!

A Look at Kevin Parker’s Evolving Sound and Intent

Kevin Parker’s return to the music scene with “End of Summer” is a mark of a shift in sound, approach, and possibly creative direction. Tame Impala has long been associated with a sound, (psychedelic rock), drenched in reverb, and dreamy textural sound. This song takes a step in a significantly more electronic direction, where 'electronic' is code for acid house, a sub-genre of late 1980s and early 1990s rave music.

The decision (and courage) to write a seven-minute song (with non-descript lyrics) with a focus primarily on rhythm, interspersing atmosphere, speaks to the confidence Parker has with taking chances well outside radio's control. As noted, there is a lot of festival and streaming presentation happening in electronic music in the long-form song format now.

Context in Parker’s Recent Work

Since the release of The Slow Rush (2020), Parker has kept busy even though he has not produced any new solo Tame Impala work. Below are some notable productions that he has officially contribute to:

• Film Soundtracks: He contributed to the Barbie movie soundtrack with "Journey to the Real World." 
• Collaborations: He has worked with Gorillaz, Lady Gaga, Travis Scott, and a collaboration with Justice ("Neverender"), which won him a Grammy Award in 2024. 
• Brand & Sync Work: Tame Impala music has been featured in commercials and film trailers keeping the brand top of mind during the hiatus between album releases. 

These side projects may have a broadened Parker's musical taster and influenced the overall sound direction of "End of Summer." 

Iamge Source: pitchfork.com