By Kourtney Gierke, Copy Editor

[Columbia; 2025]

Rating: 4/10

Tame Impala has been known to be an untouchable gem in the world of psychedelic electronic music since the 2010s. Unfortunately, the release of his newest single may prove otherwise. “Loser” is the second single released as part of the upcoming album, Deadbeat, and provides listeners with no sonic evolution.

Read more: Single Review: Testament – “Infanticide A.I.”

“Loser” opens with a catchy funk guitar riff, accompanied with a groovy bassline that carries the track. However, the song truly shines at the bridge with dreamy vocals as Kevin Parker sings “I leave alone and/ Dark streets I roam in/ Night air I breathe in/ The stars I believe in.” These lyrics particularly shine in taking the listener to a nighttime destination. Just like all his other songs, “Loser” is no exception in upholding that psychedelic electronic indie pop we all crave.

However, it’s hard to distinguish “Loser” from anything on Currents or The Slow Rush. While the first single “End of Summer” marked a distinct shift toward a house-infused dance pop album, “Loser” loses all hope that this album will differentiate Deadbeat from any other era of Parker’s. On one hand, it’s great to hear that Tame Impala maintains its unique, irreplicable sound ten years later. On the other hand, how has a long-running project most known for its innovative and individual music not developed in over a decade?

As one of the lead singles, the track is unfortunately lackluster compared to previous works by Parker. “Loser” is just an ordinary, foreseeable Tame Impala tune that doesn’t stand out or build upon any of Kevin Parker’s previous work. Hopefully, we can be proven wrong by the release of the full album Deadbeat.