Tame Impala’s “My Old Ways” serves as the compelling opener to Kevin Parker’s fifth studio album Deadbeat, released on October 17, 2025, marking a bold evolution for the acclaimed psychedelic project. The track represents Parker’s most vulnerable artistic expression to date, blending confessional lyricism with the club-ready psychedelic rock that has defined his career.
The song captures the painful awareness of falling back into destructive habits, serving as both a confession and a relapse disguised as a groove. Album opener “My Old Ways” commences with plonky, wonky piano, before Parker’s trademark wistful vocals enter with deeply personal reflections on recurring patterns and emotional struggles.
Deadbeat Album Marks Tame Impala’s Creative Transformation
Deadbeat represents Parker’s first full-length release in over five years since 2020’s The Slow Rush, arriving through Columbia Records after the artist’s new deal with Sony Music. The 12-track collection draws deep inspiration from Australia’s bush doof culture and the Western Australia rave scene, signaling a bold new direction for the psychedelic rock project.
The album marks a significant departure from previous Tame Impala releases, with black and white artwork featuring personal photos of Kevin Parker with his children, creating an instantly more intimate aesthetic compared to the fantastical, otherworldly psychedelic dreamscapes of earlier works. This shift reflects Parker’s evolution as both an artist and a father, as Deadbeat is the first Tame Impala album released since the birth of his children.
Production Innovation Behind “My Old Ways”
The track begins with a sharp, overdriven piano line that cuts through the mix, creating an abrasive yet oddly hypnotic tone that immediately establishes the album’s rawer, more unfiltered sound. Parker’s production approach on “My Old Ways” demonstrates his careful balance between chaos and clarity, allowing distorted edges to serve as emotional texture rather than mere noise.
Around the one-minute mark, rich instrumental detail including bass, drums and hi-hats kick in, with tension bubbling beneath the bridge like intrusive thoughts spiraling out of control, albeit delivered through sweetly sung, layered harmonies. The song slides into a tight and infectious rhythm, blending a danceable drum pattern with Tame Impala’s signature psychedelic pulse, creating a sonic environment that feels both euphoric and regretful.
Bush Doof Culture Influences Creative Direction
The album’s inspiration from bush doof culture represents a significant creative pivot for Parker, as bush doofs are underground electronic music gatherings held in remote Australian bushland settings, combining elements of rave culture with Australia’s unique outdoor environment. Promotional materials describe Deadbeat as featuring “wickedly potent club-psych explorations” that serve as vehicles for some of Parker’s “most direct, brain-wormy songwriting to date.”
The album reportedly features a distinct minimalism and crunch, with timbres and textures that add an entirely new dimension to the Tame Impala sound, as Parker has embraced spontaneity in the recording process, marking a notable departure for an artist known for his meticulous perfectionism.
Critical Reception and Emotional Depth
Music critics have praised “My Old Ways” for its emotional transparency, describing it as one of Tame Impala’s most emotionally transparent moments to date. The bridge explodes into chaotic repetition, with Parker layering his vocals in overlapping waves of guilt and acceptance, creating a musical embodiment of losing control while knowing exactly what’s happening.
The song’s brilliance lies in its balance between production that dazzles and writing that wounds, creating a performance that feels painfully human while remaining irresistibly danceable. Critics note how Parker transforms vulnerability into something rhythmically compelling, finding catharsis in sound even when the subject matter delves deep into personal guilt and self-reflection.
Album Context and Future Prospects
The complete Deadbeat tracklist includes twelve songs: “My Old Ways,” “No Reply,” “Dracula,” “Loser,” “Oblivion,” “Not My World,” “Piece of Heaven,” “Obsolete,” “Ethereal Connection,” “See You On Monday (You’re Lost),” “Afterthought,” and “End of Summer.” Three singles have been released from the album, with “End of Summer” arriving on July 25, 2025, “Loser” on September 3, 2025, and “Dracula” on September 26, 2025.
The album release coincides with Parker winning his first Grammy Award from five career nominations, as Tame Impala collected the golden gramophone for best dance/electronic with “Neverender,” a collaboration with Justice. Additionally, “Dracula” marked Tame Impala’s first appearance on the Billboard Hot 100, opening at No. 55.
Recording Process and Studio Innovation
The album was recorded between Kevin Parker’s hometown of Fremantle and his Wave House studio in Injidup, Western Australia during the first half of 2025. Parker has described “Not My World” as the closest to the original mission statement for the album, emphasizing a stripped-back approach that sounds like it was made in the room.
Speaking about the album’s creation, Parker revealed the mental challenges of releasing new music, describing the experience as trying to “hold on for dear life” during the difficult period when music that has been confined to studio doors for two years is suddenly unleashed on the world.
Touring and Live Performance Plans
Parker will assemble his touring band for newly-announced pan-European and U.K. concerts in 2026, starting April 4 at Super Bock Arena in Porto, Portugal and wrapping up May 13 at 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland. The Deadbeat Tour includes multiple North American dates, with shows scheduled at major venues including Barclays Center in Brooklyn, United Center in Chicago, and Kia Forum in Los Angeles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning behind Tame Impala’s “My Old Ways”?
“My Old Ways” explores the painful awareness of falling back into destructive habits, serving as a vivid exploration of relapse, self-awareness, and the struggle to break free from destructive patterns. The song captures the tension between knowing better and succumbing to familiar habits, portraying the cyclical nature of human weakness through both lyrics and production.
When was “My Old Ways” released?
“My Old Ways” was released on October 17, 2025, as the opening track of Tame Impala’s fifth studio album Deadbeat. The song serves as the gateway to the album’s 12-track journey and sets the tone for the record’s themes of nostalgic propulsion and personal reflection.
How does “My Old Ways” differ from previous Tame Impala songs?
The track represents one of Tame Impala’s most emotionally transparent moments to date, featuring a rawer, more unfiltered sound compared to previous releases. The song commences with plonky, wonky piano before incorporating rich instrumental details, marking a departure from the more polished production of earlier albums.
What inspired the Deadbeat album?
Deadbeat is deeply inspired by bush doof culture and the Western Australia rave scene, representing a significant creative pivot for Parker toward underground electronic music gatherings and rave culture. This influence manifests in what critics describe as “wickedly potent club-psych explorations” that combine dance music elements with Parker’s signature psychedelic sound.
Who produced “My Old Ways”?
“My Old Ways” is produced by Kevin Parker, who wrote, recorded, and performed all of the project’s music in his recording studio. The album was recorded between Parker’s hometown of Fremantle and his Wave House studio in Injidup, Western Australia during the first half of 2025.