Lonerism

With their sophomore album, Australian psychedelic rockers Tame Impala continue to blend avant-garde production techniques with a pop sensibility. “Be Above It” announces this intention with a repetitive drumbeat supplemented by whispered vocals that, when looped, become intrinsic to the rhythm of the song. Where they really shine is in their ability to maintain a relaxed momentum that imbues a sense of energy and thrust to the album without losing its mellowness. From the fuzzed-out haze of “Mind Mischief” to the proto-Black Sabbath saunter of “Elephant,” Tame Impala foster an atmosphere of comfort in experimentation, both in a musical context and in their predilection to emphasize the importance of taking it slow. While they may seem to live in the past, they don’t merely replicate their excellent debut Innerspeaker, instead creating an album as creative as it is eminently listenable.