Lonerism

Something about Kevin Parker's music just manages to perfectly capture the feeling of every summer of your adolescence and young adulthood. And yet, the emotions provoked on Lonerism go so much deeper than just bohemian optimism. It's an uplifting, laid-back album, sure, but the undercurrent of loneliness and existential fear pervade every abscess of these 12 tracks. It's all delivered with so much emotionally clarity and simplicity that ends up being as much of a comfort listen as it is an invitation to observe one's own insecurities and negative self-evaluations. Maybe Tame Impala is overplayed or even worthy of the dreaded title of "Urban Outfitters-core", but at least with Lonerism, they achieved pop perfection and made one of the most infectious, charming albums of all time.