Lonerism - Tame Impala

Tame Impala’s album Lonerism was released in 2012. It takes inspiration from the experimentation and progression of psychedelic rock. However, they also focus on using the most out of the technology available in 2012 that didn’t exist when psychedelic rock first appeared in the mid-to-late 1960s. They integrate the electronic sound of this new technology without ripping off another artist, rather they create a new sound altogether. The songs on Lonerism are primarily about isolation, but not necessarily in a negative context. This album is meant to represent how one can be alone while also in unison with the world around them. It’s about appreciating the things in life, big or small, and stopping to think about the beauty in everything in the world, regardless of whether it is natural or mechanical. This album expresses the idea that you can be alone without feeling lonely, as there is a significant difference between those mindsets. The album also expresses how small and insignificant a person can be, however, it reflects the beauty in that as well. 

The artwork for the album was designed by Leif Podhajsky, an Australian graphic designer and art director. He believes that the album art for music is meant to enhance the experience of the listeners. He’s worked for plenty of different artists and record labels, however, he has done a significant amount of work for Tame Impala. Leif also only truly creates artwork for artists when he appreciates and respects their work. He will listen to an album many times over to create a narration or story to go along with it. He then integrates that story into his process of design for these covers. His focus goes more into the emotion within an album. This inspiration helps to lead him away from being over-critical or analytically overthinking the designs. This process and inspiration, in his philosophy, create a more harmonious and well-thought-out design.