Music reviews: Joss Stone, Tame Impala, Little Boots

Formed as a bedroom recording project by Perth native Kevin Parker, Australian alt-psych/pop outfit Tame Impala hit paydirt in 2012 with the anthemic track Elephant taken from their sonically expansive album Lonerism.

Topping many year-end polls, it was a busy kaleidoscopic album, resplendent with infectious pop melodies. For its eagerly awaited follow up, the self-produced Currents, Parker had promised a slightly more minimal record, to “use only what’s needed – instead of a supreme pizza, where you just throw everything on”.

Parker’s claims that a defining moment, listening to the Bee Gees coked out and on mushrooms, had a “profound emotional effect” on him, and it certainly sounds true on the funkadelic The Less I Know the Better, as the band’s typical fuzzy rock gives way to full-bodied disco.

Opener Let it Happen adds a Daft Punk groove to its dense eightminute synth-rock journey. Obviously Parker’s recent collaboration with Mark Ronson, on the producer’s Uptown Special album, made a strong impression on the stoner studio wizard.

Tame Impala Currents (Modular Recordings)