A few weeks ago we wrote about Sunflower Bean’s new tape, the somewhat misleadingly titled Tame Impala cassette. We alluded to the fact that a song would stream in the upcoming months, but we were not expecting that day to arrive so soon. “Tame Impala” (the single) is an ode to a Tame Impala (the band) song. Guitarist Nick Kivlen explained the idea in a conversation with Interview: “It doesn’t sound anything like it really, but Tame Impala have a song called “Led Zeppelin.” It’s like, ‘you guys are up there too for certain people.'”
But while the song may reference the Australian band, the New York trio has created their own distinct sound. As it progresses, the paired vocals of Kivlen and bassist Julia Cumming reach maximum intensity, while Cumming shrieks the line, “You always say what’s on your mind,” Kivlen unleashes his voice in a way that has not been shown on any previous singles. Underneath all this, drummer Jacob Faber’s furious beats drive the song until it finally reaches a slower rock ‘n’ roll conclusion.
Stream “Tame Impala” below and download it on bandcamp for a limited time.
