14 Artists Like Tame Impala
From psychedelic rock to dreamy indie, Tame Impala isn’t just one sound. That may be why finding similar artists can be frustrating.
Kevin Parker has transformed from swirling, fuzzy guitar psychedelia on InnerSpeaker, to lush, Todd Rundgren-inspired introspective pop on Lonerism, and then into refined synth territory with Currents and The Slow Rush. That’s before we even get to the dance music-infused Deadbeat. So when people search for artists like Tame Impala, it could mean a number of things.
We’ve rummaged through our record collection to pick fourteen artists that touch on this patchwork of sounds—and who are quietly carrying the torch of Tame Impala.
1. Earth to Josh (early, fuzzed-out psych)
Australia’s Earth to Josh is the project of Joshua Kent. He captures a heavier, blown-out sound and swirling vocals similar to Tame Impala. Melodic and spacey, his album Josh to Earth keeps a consistent nostalgic vibe across its ten tracks. It also features some sublime guitar work. The song “Alive” will give you a taster of this awesome musician.
2. Meltt (lush, modern psych-pop)
Vancouver’s four-piece band Meltt pack a clean, sun-kissed, modern psych-pop sound. Their widescreen production has it all—from lush, dreamy textures to skyward melodies and dynamic shifts. Futuristic, luscious, and rich, we suggest you start at “Do You Ever Wonder?” and then dig a little deeper.
3. Dungen (vintage psych textures)
Swedish group Dungen have been going since their first release in 2001. It may be that they influenced Kevin Parker’s InnerSpeaker sound. Their album Ta Det Lungt is a masterwork covering a wide variety of retro tones. From intense drumming to fuzzy, distorted, trippy guitar layers, they are a band who know how to execute unexpected turns. If you’re unfamiliar, start with “Festival.”
4. Charlie’s Hand Movements (deep-cut psych discoveries)
Formed in 2005, Charlie’s Hand Movements remain something of a secret—and we’re not quite sure why. At the time of writing, they have only eighteen monthly listeners on Spotify. The music is inventive, sharp, and funky. We’d shine a spotlight on the album Nuclear Tapes, with the opener “Porcupine” giving you a clear idea of what to expect.
5. GUM (direct Tame Impala connections)
GUM is Jay Watson, making the connection to Tame Impala an easy one, as he is part of the touring band. He also allows us to mention King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard and Pond as acts to check out—which secretly brings our list to sixteen. Our song recommendation is “S.I.A.”
Photo by Diane Sagnier
6. Melody’s Echo Chamber (dreamy, collaborative psych)
Melody’s Echo Chamber is another act with a direct link to Tame Impala. We adore their evocative self-titled debut, which Kevin Parker produced. The music is shimmery, dreamlike, and awash with colour. “Quand Vas Tu Rentrer?” is our favourite.
Photo by Kevin Allen
7. Post Animal (groove-heavy psych rock)
Releasing music since 2015, Chicago’s Post Animal are a groove-oriented, riff-heavy, and mature addition to the list. They’re a little hard to pin down, shifting styles from release to release. Press play on “When I Get Home” and see where that takes you.
photo by asal s. hanson
8. Wand (expansive and melodic experimentation)
Los Angeles band Wand excel at writing melodic, mellow songs brimming with hooks. Their albums are ambitious, emotional, and gorgeous. We’d recommend starting from the beginning, but if that’s too much, try “Melted Rope.”
Photo by Corinne Schiavone
9. STRFKR (upbeat existential indie)
Portland’s STRFKR are another underrated act. Consistently releasing solid material since 2008, they have a knack for expressing heavy themes—like death and the end of the world—in an oddly upbeat way. Check out “Tape Machine.”
10. Unknown Mortal Orchestra (inward, psychedelic grooves)
New Zealand’s Unknown Mortal Orchestra create superb, catchy, and vibey tracks. Their sound feels like psych rock turned inward—less about scale, more about immersion. We’re big fans of “The World Is Crowded” from Multi-Love.
11. Das Kope (closest sonic parallels)
Los Angeles-based Das Kope may be the artist that most closely scratches the Tame Impala itch. The influence isn’t just on the sleeve—it is the sleeve, in the best possible way. Despite the parallels, the music remains inventive and well-produced. “Ready for the Summer” is a standout.
12. Low Hum (minimal, late-night psych vibes)
Also from Los Angeles, Low Hum leans into heavy basslines and clean production. This is a minimal, groove-first psych lane—perfect for late nights and hazy reflection. While collaborations with Navah Sea explore more dance-focused territory, “Nebraska” is a great place to start.
Photo by Robert Semmer
13. Deerhunter (atmospheric contrasts)
Atlanta’s Deerhunter have been releasing material since 2007. They thrive on contrast, shifting from calm to chaos with ease. Masters of both dense atmospheres and stark minimalism, the ending to “Desire Lines” gets us every time.
Tame Impala’s appeal lies in its range, from hazy psychedelia to polished, synth-driven pop. That’s what makes finding similar artists so interesting… and so subjective. Whether you lean toward the fuzz of InnerSpeaker or the sheen of Currents, these artists each carry a piece of that evolving sound.
Feel free to send us your recommendations. In the meantime, we made you a playlist: