Tame Impala - Apocalypse Dreams

For an album that came out this year, there's certainly a effort here to revive a vintage sound. I think it's quite refreshing in this way. There are also lot of lo-fi vintage synthesizer sounds featured which compliment to this effect. After a bit of reading, I can quite easily see it labelled as an " Electric Kool Aid Acid Test" that builds on the début of psychedelic stoner pop.

The syncopated piano part that introduces this track with the drums sounds quite distant. It could could be mic'd from a distance in a small hall to my ear. Most interestingly though is the reverse tail of it. The last two seconds of each note are being turned up. This might have been done with a high-gain compressor on a long attack. There are two sides to the piano in the stereo panorama (just like the two hands of the piano player). The higher notes take place in the right; low notes on the left. The higher notes sound to me as if they are recorded in closer proximity as there is significantly more definition and a sharper attack.

I particularly enjoy the lo-fi vibe at the break at 2:04. The synth reminds me strongly of an old 8-bit video game or an early sci-fi film. The notes that fall slightly off-tune and 'waver' are all part of the vibe that compliments the whole sound. It cuts into this section quite suddenly like an insert of a new piece of tape (I don't know too much about analogue technology). However, the lack of decay from the sounds preceding it makes for a slightly rougher 'cut & paste' feel that I think suits this track nicely. Another example of this quick change occurs at 2:58. This one is disguised more with a 'suck in' effect. The imagery this generates for me is a hand stopping a flow of water and releasing it as if with a tap.