Lonerism is the dizzying result of an impassioned Kevin Parker, leader of Australian band Tame Impala. Working in solitude in both Perth and Paris, the outcome is as much a personal exploration as a sonic one. Riskily devised mostly alone in his room, and self-produced by David Fridmann, it is Parker’s reckless abandon that makes this album such a welcome triumph.
Steering away from the more direct Beatles benediction seen in brilliant debut Innerspeaker, Parker’s approach has matured. Sgt Pepper trips are turned to vanilla dreamscapes in soulful ‘Music To Walk Home By’ and hypnotic ‘Feels Like We Only Go Backwards’ delivers the knock-out punch.
Single ‘Elephant’ gives a slight peek into the power of Lonerism but cannot fully represent what this album as a whole achieves. Carefully employed 60s grooves and a unified vision push against a time when singles are consumed as readily as Big Macs.
Tame Impala has embraced the truer spirit of musical experience with a return to the truest value of the album, a luxury enjoyed in one sitting.
This is undoubtedly the stand out release of 2012.
Five Stars.