Tame Impala have officially begun their comeback rollout, five years on from The Slow Rush.
Kevin Parker posted a photo dump to Instagram over the weekend that included shots from the studio, a blurry progress chart with several songs marked “done,” and a photo of him with his wife, Sophie Lawrence, who is pregnant with their second child. The caption read: “Been busy.”
The post didn’t say anything else, but it didn’t need to. The website updated shortly after with a new look and a cryptic message buried in the source code: “iwaitedtiltheendofsummerandiranoutoftime.” It’s not a single. It’s not an album title. But it’s enough to confirm something is finally on the way.
The update also follows a surprise DJ set Parker played in Barcelona last month, where he dropped an unreleased track with his name attached. He didn’t announce it, didn’t elaborate on it. Just played it and left it hanging there.
Tame Impala haven’t released a studio album since 2020, but Parker hasn’t been sitting still. In the last few years, he’s worked with Diana Ross, Gorillaz, Thundercat, and Justice. He picked up a Grammy this year for Neverender, his track with Justice, and has continued to pop up on festival bills, mostly solo or behind the decks.
Last year he told The Guardian the new album wasn’t done yet, but that it was coming. This is the first proper sign that he meant it.
Tame Impala are known for long stretches of silence between albums. What’s different this time is how tight the rollout looks already. No fake-outs. No delays. Just a quick message, a few studio pics, and the internet lit up.
If the last few albums were Parker running from pop stardom, this one feels like he’s finally ready to lean into it. Nothing’s been announced yet, but he’s made one thing very clear. He hasn’t been away. He’s just been very busy.
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