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Currents
by
Currents Image
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 38 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 601 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the third full-length release for the Australian psychedelic rock band led by Kevin Parker.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 38
  3. Negative: 0 out of 38
  1. NOW Magazine
    Jul 16, 2015
    100
    The whole thing has a beautiful and unexpected tenderness to it.
  2. Pitchfork
    Jul 13, 2015
    93
    Nearly every proper song on Currents is a revelatory statement of Parker’s range and increasing expertise as a producer, arranger, songwriter, and vocalist while maintaining the essence of Tame Impala.
  3. The 405
    Jul 20, 2015
    90
    This is as close to pop perfection as music as seen in quite some time.
  4. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jul 2, 2015
    80
    From the crisp, hip-hop accenting on the drums to the full-bodied bass and vivd synths, Currents is an audiophile’s wet dream.
  5. DIY Magazine
    Jul 17, 2015
    80
    It might not hit with the sit-up-and-listen immediacy of previous albums, but make no mistake, Currents is just as accomplished.
  6. Exclaim
    Jul 15, 2015
    80
    Currents is melodic, pretty, but there's a pervasive sense of melancholy here; each uplifting track feels as though it's masking sorrow with shimmering synth, a teaspoon of sugar to help the medicine down.
  7. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Jul 13, 2015
    40
    The most frustrating thing about Currents is that, for probably the first time, it seems like Parker is writing songs that would be pretty decent and probably interesting if he freed them from this musty aesthetic and gave them room to express themselves.

See all 38 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 77 out of 87
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 87
  3. Negative: 2 out of 87
  1. kglbltz
    Jul 22, 2015
    10
    The funny thing with most of the nay-sayers of this record is that they say that Currents is far removed from the psych-pop/rock of the firstThe funny thing with most of the nay-sayers of this record is that they say that Currents is far removed from the psych-pop/rock of the first two records and that surely Kevin Parker (KP) knew he would piss off some their hardcore fans but I personally feel that this record feels like the most natural progression of Tame Impala.

    Inner Speaker, the first record, was a pure psych-pop/rock record but even then you could already tell that KP had a thing for pop melodies and writing catchy songs. Lonerism, their second record, already took quite a bit of the psych out but there was still enough of it to sooth the psych fans.

    Currents takes pretty much all the psych out of Tame Impala and leaves us with one of the best pop records in a long while and KP wanted that exactly. It wasn't a decision to cash in or to change direction but something he's been working towards with the two previous records.

    But KP says it best on the final track of the record itself:

    "I can just hear them now
    "How could you let us down?"
    But they don't know what I found
    Or see it from this way around
    Feeling it overtake
    All that I used to hate

    Finally taking flight
    I know you don't think it's right
    I know that you think it's fake
    Maybe fake's what I like"

    Deal with it kids!!    … Expand
  2. GamePlayer77
    May 25, 2021
    10
    Currents is one of the most thrilling LPs I've heard. Tame Impala's signature sound is easily recognizable in every track, and the differencesCurrents is one of the most thrilling LPs I've heard. Tame Impala's signature sound is easily recognizable in every track, and the differences in production throughout the album perfect it.

    FAV TRACK: Past Life
    LEAST FAV TRACK: Eventually    … Expand
  4. padwad
    Feb 13, 2020
    10
    this album is just so perfect. there’s nothing i would change at all. nobody else sounds like this.
  5. Danm95VFF
    Mar 27, 2016
    9
    Believe the hype of the otherworldly disco-psychedelia that is Tame Impala's Currents. This is a clever change in direction for Kevin ParkerBelieve the hype of the otherworldly disco-psychedelia that is Tame Impala's Currents. This is a clever change in direction for Kevin Parker and co. following on from Lonerism. It's the kind of album that attracts non-fans as much as it does fans, and it certainly got me into the group. You don't need to be a stoner or substance user to enjoy this; it succeeds enough on its own merits that it grants the listener a high by just listening to it.… Expand
  6. aledelf
    Jun 23, 2023
    9
    This album is just amazing, Tame Impala takes us to a new level of mixing and makes the sound perfect, there are some excellent songs thatThis album is just amazing, Tame Impala takes us to a new level of mixing and makes the sound perfect, there are some excellent songs that will be reminded for all of his career, this album delivers everything it promises and more, one of the best i´ve ever heard… Expand
  7. nirvanafreak
    Jul 21, 2015
    8
    It's a solid psych pop/disco record although I'm not a huge fan of Kevin's voice it does have some lush production. After listening to thisIt's a solid psych pop/disco record although I'm not a huge fan of Kevin's voice it does have some lush production. After listening to this album, I'm still clueless as to what all the hype is about so I'll guess I'll have to check out the previous 2 Tame Impala records which I've heard a lot of good things about… Expand
  8. NonesBades
    Sep 15, 2015
    1
    Well, I think it sucks. I really and honestly do. There are some good things there, sure. But those good things are really hidden tru all thisWell, I think it sucks. I really and honestly do. There are some good things there, sure. But those good things are really hidden tru all this **** poppy, cheesy melodrama feel that goes on on almost every currents song. Lyrics are so awful too, everything sounds quite shallow and adolescent.

    My review has nothing to do with music style. Currents is actually bad music, no matter what style we are talking about.

    This is really sad, cause Tame Impala used to be an amazing song.    … Expand

See all 87 User Reviews

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