InnerSpeaker

“Innerspeaker” is the debut studio album by Tame Impala, the musical project of Australian musician Kevin Parker, released on 21 May 2010 under Modular Recordings. Parker recorded and produced the album at a remote beach shack in Western Australia during the summer of 2009, composing all tracks except for one interlude.

Critically acclaimed for its revival of 1960s psychedelic rock, “Innerspeaker” reached number 4 on the ARIA Charts and achieved platinum certification in Australia. It received the Australian Album of the Year award at the J Awards in 2010 and was named the 83rd Best Album of the Decade So Far by Pitchfork in August 2014. In March 2021, a 4xLP reissue commemorating its 10th anniversary was released.

Before “Innerspeaker,” Tame Impala had released the self-titled EP in 2008 and the single “Sundown Syndrome” in 2009. In preparation for the album, the band shared video snippets on YouTube featuring rehearsals of songs such as “The Bold Arrow of Time” and “Island Walking.”

“Innerspeaker” was a departure from Parker’s earlier recordings, which he had primarily done for personal enjoyment. It marked his first deliberate effort towards a formal release, reflecting his role as the principal songwriter and recording artist for Tame Impala. Parker has described Tame Impala as his personal project, distinguishing between its recorded and live components.

Recording for the album took place at Wave House, Injidup, a secluded beach house in Western Australia, offering panoramic views of the Indian Ocean. Despite technical challenges such as power outages and equipment failures, Parker found the natural surroundings inspiring for the album’s creation. Mixing was completed by Dave Fridmann at Tarbox Road Studios in Cassadaga, New York, enhancing the album’s distinctive sound.

The album artwork, designed by Australian artist Leif Podhajsky, features an image altered using the Droste effect, evoking a psychedelic aesthetic reminiscent of Pink Floyd’s work.

“Innerspeaker” was officially released on 21 May 2010, preceded by singles like “Solitude Is Bliss” and “Lucidity.” Despite an initial leak on iTunes and online, the album garnered positive attention for its atmospheric sound and artistic coherence.

In addition to its standard release, a Limited Edition version of “Innerspeaker” was issued in 2011, including a bonus disc titled “Extraspeaker” featuring B-sides and remixes.