The Slow Rush (Collectors Edition Vinyl Box) ［2LP+12inch x2+7inch］

2020年に発表され、全米全英#1をはじめ14カ国でTOP10を記録、全世界で13億回を超えるストリーミングを達成した作品の生産限定の豪華ボックス・セット!

■オリジナル・アルバムLP(透明レッド・ヴァイナル2枚)リミックス・ヴァージョン収録12"x2枚、未発表音源収録7"の5枚組
■40Pブックレット、2050年度カレンダー封入
■サイズ:32.5cm x 32.5cm x 4cm、重量:1.8kg

In the years after the release of Currents, Tame Impalas mastermind Kevin Parker dedicated himself to the art of the collaboration, working his magic on tracks by artists like SZA, Travis Scott, and Lady Gaga and even co-writing with Kanye. All the while, Tame Impalas fan base kept growing to the point where they were able to headline big festivals and fill stadiums. One might assume that Parker would latch on to the mainstream-friendly elements that seeped into Currents, double down on them, and join his friends in the modern pop machine. Amazingly, that doesnt happen on The Slow Rush. Instead, Parker made an intensely personal album that deals with romantic disappointment, the death of his father, and questions about his place in the world, all set to a soundtrack of shimmering disco, trippy Madchester beats, gleaming synth pop, and epic neo-prog balladry. The albums first song, One More Year, sets the template for the rest of the record with its vocoder harmonies, bubbling house pianos, echoing atmosphere, rubbery beats, and Parkers heart-felt falsetto. Its a mix of the Stone Roses, Daft Punk, Pharrell, and Washed Out made magical thanks to Parkers melodic gifts and production mastery. The bulk of the album treads similar ground, sometimes building the songs out to feel epically windswept (Instant Destiny), sometimes turning them inward like on Tomorrows Dust, one of the few tracks to feature prominent guitar. That same song showcases Parkers wizardry on various keyboards. Whether hes pounding out cheesy classical-meets-disco chords -- Silvettis Spring Rain seems to be a major influence here -- or dialing up fat sounds from a vintage synth, he shows the same skill level here that he did on guitar in the bands early days. Guitar also shows up on One More Hour, a powerful song that delves deep into Parkers fears and hopes while serving up majestic chords, soaring leads, and Zeppelin-sized wallop; its one of the emotional pillars of the record. Another is Posthumous Forgiveness, a heartbreaking ode to Parkers dad that sees him pouring out his soul and lamenting all the things his dad isnt around to experience, like a phone call with Mick Jagger for one. Its not all big emotions, though, as there are quite a few songs that either dip into a kind of languorous twilight groove (Breathe Deeper), bop hard as steel like the tightly wound Is It True, which sees Parker at his most Pharrell-like, or lope along peacefully (Borderline). The Slow Rush is the final nail in the coffin as far as Tame Impala being a guitar rock band goes; the psychedelia is more diffuse now, softer and more likely to bring a tear with a lyrical turn or a synth wash instead of raising goose bumps with wild guitars. The change began on Currents, where it was handled inelegantly. Here its brought about smoothly and with great skill, and the albums a comeback that once again makes Tame Impala an artistic force equal to their commercial appeal. ~ Tim Sendra

オーストラリア出身のテーム・インパラにとって通算4枚目となるこのニュー・アルバムを聴いて、驚きを隠せなかった。従来のサイケデリック・ロックを軸とした音楽性とは180度違うサウンドだからだ。全体的にハウスやディスコの要素が強く、ライヴハウスよりもダンスフロアに相応しい曲が多い。例えばオープニングを飾る"One More Year"は、良質なハウスをリリースしてきたミスター・サタデイ・ナイトあたりのレーベルが脳裏に浮かぶような音だ。さらに、"Glimmer"では陽気かつレイヴィーなピアノ・サウンドが飛びだすなど、やはりダンス・ミュージックの要素が色濃い。長年の音楽ファンなら、マッドチェスターという懐かしの時代を連想してしまうかも。
bounce (C)近藤真弥