Following the band’s 2015 soundtrack Currents, Tame Impala just released the long-awaited studio album The Slow Rush, Fronting the album’s release, single tracks “Borderline,” “It Might Be Time,” “Posthumous Forgiveness,” and “Lost in Yesterday” set the smooth, kaleidoscopic tone for the full 12 tracks. The Slow Rush is Tame Impala’s fourth studio album, and it certainly showcases the Australian music group’s melodic maturation. 

In the last five years, Tame Impala’s frontman Kevin Parker has expanded the band’s typical sound through an array of collaborations. The band found its way onto Lady Gaga’s “Perfect Illusion,” the Avalanches’ “Going Home,” Travis Scott’s “SKELETONS,” ZHU’s “My Life,” and Theophilus London’s “Only You.” Outside of the studio, Tame Impala headlined Coachella in 2019 and performed a moving rendition of “Patience” on Saturday Night Live. 

The band took to Instagram to reflect on the album’s year-long production: “Well there it is, a year of my life in a cardboard sleeve. A year of blood, sweat, and tears and joy and anguish. Funny how that’s what it all boils down to… just what comes out of the speakers for those 57 minutes. No other part of what I do matters even nearly as much. Wouldn’t have it any other way though. Hope you like it x.”

On top of the album’s release, Tame Impala also announced North American shows with Clairo next month, and a celebratory tour in Australia and New Zealand with Khruangbin in April. In preparation for the live shows, get to know Tame Impala’s new, musical era, below.