“Loser” Tame Impala Release
Tame Impala’s “Loser” is a groovy, self-deprecating glimpse into the artist's upcoming album Deadbeat.
“Loser” starts with a punch, giving its central riff a moment to shine before introducing layers of typical Kevin Parker harmonies and reverb-coated vocals. The repeated riff becomes a hypnotic backdrop for our narrator to express his own personal failings. Lyrics like “So much for closure, I lost composure / I get the message, I learned my lesson” suggest that the mournful singer is at fault for the breakdown of a relationship. The tone of the song falls somewhere between melodramatic and tongue-in-cheek in the chorus as Parker steals a line from Beck’s 1994 alt-rock hit of the same title (Beck also makes a cameo appearance in the “Loser” music video as an unassuming passerby). Parker sings, “I’m a loser, babe / Do you wanna tear my heart out?”. The matter-of-fact lyricism shows a singer aware of his misgivings and not afraid to admit them, although a bit too set in his ways to really change.
The bridge of the song puts the main riff on the backburner and highlights the atmospheric synth as our narrator roams the streets in a self-reflective state of mind. He laments, “I don’t know why I didn’t fight it / I probably tried and magnified it / I cannot lie, I feel defeated”. The outro is the most vulnerable point in the song, both lyrically and sonically, as the instrumental is stripped back down to the punchy and isolated sound utilized before the first verse. The final few lines of the song, “Take it as a sign, you’re badly needed”, directly address the figure on the receiving end of the singer’s loser-ish behavior. It seems that desire is no longer enough to keep this person around. Coming to terms with this fact, Parker ends the song with a defeated “Fuck” as the main riff repeats for a final time, mirroring the narrator’s repeated shortcomings.
The release of “Loser” signifies more good things to come from Tame Impala. His disparaging (and often relatable) lyrics on this track are perfectly juxtaposed with a strong and incredibly catchy instrumental. Despite being a self-proclaimed loser, this single proves that Parker is returning for his fifth studio album more confident than ever.
