Nangs

The song "Nangs" serves as a sonic and thematic representation of a specific, fleeting experience of altered consciousness. The title itself is Australian slang for canisters of nitrous oxide (N2O), also known as "whippets" or laughing gas, which are used recreationally to induce a brief, intense state of euphoria, dissociation, and auditory distortion. The core meaning of the song is to emulate this disorienting, otherworldly sensation. The track's short duration of just under two minutes mirrors the short-lived high from the substance.

Lyrically, the song is built around the single, repeated question: "But is there something more than that?" This line functions as the central theme, elevating the song from a simple depiction of a drug experience to a broader metaphysical inquiry. Within the context of the album Currents, which largely deals with personal transformation and transition, this question signifies a moment of profound doubt or revelation. It's the point where the narrator, perhaps under the influence of this momentary high, questions the nature of their reality, their feelings, or their current state of being. Is this fleeting euphoria all there is, or does it point towards a deeper, more significant reality or state of mind? It encapsulates a pivotal moment of introspection, wondering if there is a level of existence or understanding beyond the surface.

The lyrical content of the song is exceptionally minimal, consisting of a single, repeated question: "But is there something more than that?" This question is not presented as a confident inquiry but rather as a faint, almost submerged thought emerging from a dense fog of sound. The voice delivering the line is heavily processed, making it sound distant and disconnected, as if it's a thought bubbling up from the subconscious rather than a direct statement. The narrative, therefore, isn't a story in the traditional sense but an encapsulation of a fleeting, profound moment of existential questioning. It represents a brief window of lucidity within an overwhelming sensory experience. This experience, suggested by the song's title and sonic texture, is akin to the short-lived high from nitrous oxide. In this moment of altered perception, the fundamental structure of reality seems to dissolve, prompting the question of whether there is a deeper layer or a different state of being beyond the immediate, tangible world. The repetition of the phrase transforms it from a simple question into a mantra-like contemplation. It’s the sound of a mind grappling with a sudden, overwhelming realization or doubt. The surrounding music, with its undulating and phasing synthesizers, creates the context for this thought, simulating the auditory and sensory distortions—the "wub wub"—often associated with the drug. The journey of the track is the journey of this single thought, rising to the surface of consciousness, lingering in a state of wonder and confusion, and then fading back into the immersive soundscape, leaving the listener in a state of unresolved contemplation. The song captures the feeling of being on the precipice of a revelation, a moment where the mundane falls away and the possibility of a greater, unseen reality feels tantalizingly close, only for the moment to pass as quickly as it arrived.

"Nangs" was created as part of Tame Impala's third studio album, Currents, which was released on July 17, 2015. The entirety of the album was written, performed, recorded, produced, and mixed by Kevin Parker in his home studio in Perth, Australia. This solitary process allowed Parker to meticulously craft the album's sound, marking a significant shift from the guitar-driven psychedelic rock of his previous albums towards a more synth-pop and disco-influenced sound. For Currents, Parker forced himself to write more on synthesizers, partly because his guitar equipment was often being shipped between tour locations. This led to the creation of synth-heavy tracks like "Nangs".

The primary synthesizer used for the song's iconic, wobbling main riff is believed to be a Roland Juno-106. The distinctive "wah-wah" movement of the sound was created by modulating the filter with a Low-Frequency Oscillator (LFO). Additionally, a Roland JV-1080 rackmount synth was likely used for the string-like pads that add to the song's atmospheric texture. The entire production of Currents was marked by Parker's perfectionism, with some tracks reportedly having over 1,000 partial vocal takes; however, interludes like "Nangs" were likely born from more spontaneous moments of sonic experimentation within his isolated recording sessions.

"Nangs" largely eschews traditional lyrical structure, rhyme, and rhythm. The song is built around a single, unrhymed phrase: "But is there something more than that?" This line is delivered in a spoken-word, almost conversational cadence, which is then heavily processed and repeated. There is no rhyme scheme, placing it firmly in the realm of free verse or, more accurately, a musical mantra.

The song's rhythm is primarily defined by its musical elements rather than its lyrics. It has a tempo of approximately 168 beats per minute (BPM) and is in a 4/4 time signature. The rhythmic drive comes from the interplay between the steady, simple drum beat, the foundational synth-bass line, and the pulsating, sixteenth-note modulation of the main synthesizer riff. The LFO-driven synth creates a hypnotic, undulating pulse that serves as the song's rhythmic and melodic core. The lyrical rhythm is free-flowing and does not strictly adhere to the musical meter, enhancing the feeling of a detached, internal thought floating over the structured instrumental base.

Musical Techniques: The most prominent stylistic technique in "Nangs" is its heavy reliance on analog synthesizer textures and modulation. The main synth line, likely from a Roland Juno-106, uses a Low-Frequency Oscillator (LFO) to rhythmically modulate the filter cutoff, creating the signature pulsating, "wobbling" effect that defines the track. This technique sonically mimics the auditory distortions of nitrous oxide. Parker also employs stereo panning to create a wide, immersive soundscape, making the synth textures feel as if they are swirling around the listener. The production features a low-pass filter across the entire track, cutting off high frequencies around 15kHz, which imparts a warm, slightly lo-fi, and contained feeling. The bass and kick drum are mixed centrally, providing a solid anchor amidst the swirling stereo synths.

Literary/Vocal Techniques: The vocal performance is heavily processed with reverb and delay, making the lyrics sound distant and ethereal, like an inner monologue or a thought rising from the subconscious rather than a direct address. The only lyric, "But is there something more than that?", functions as a rhetorical question and a recurring motif. Its repetition turns it into a meditative, almost philosophical chant, emphasizing the song's theme of existential questioning within a fleeting moment of altered perception.

While not a commercial single, "Nangs" has achieved a significant cult status among Tame Impala fans and in online music communities. Its iconic synthesizer sound is instantly recognizable and has become a subject of fascination for musicians and producers, with numerous tutorials and articles dedicated to recreating the patch, particularly its use of the Roland Juno-106. The song is often cited as a quintessential example of the synth-heavy, meticulously produced sound of the album Currents.

Its title and sonic texture, which perfectly emulate the experience of inhaling nitrous oxide, have made it a piece of cultural shorthand. The song's distinctive "wub wub" synth sound has also become an in-joke and meme within the Tame Impala fanbase. Despite its short length, it served as the opening song for many of Tame Impala's live shows during the Currents tour, its atmospheric build-up creating an effective and dramatic entrance. As an interlude, it plays a crucial role in the album's flow, acting as a seamless transition from the epic opener "Let It Happen" into the rest of the record, and is considered by many listeners to be an essential part of the Currents experience.

The central metaphor in "Nangs" is the experience of inhaling nitrous oxide as a symbol for a moment of sudden, intense, and fleeting change in perspective. The drug itself is not the subject, but rather the vehicle for a deeper existential inquiry. The disorienting, dream-like state it induces represents a break from ordinary consciousness, a brief glimpse into a different reality. This experience symbolizes the overarching theme of personal transformation that runs through the album Currents.

The auditory hallucination effect often associated with "nangs"—a distorted, echoing, "wub wub" sound—is sonically recreated by the heavily modulated synthesizers. This sound itself becomes a symbol of this altered state. The single lyric, "But is there something more than that?", acts as a metaphor for the profound questions that can arise during such moments of transition or ego-dissolution. It's the symbolic voice of someone questioning the limits of their perception and the very foundation of their reality. The brevity of the song reinforces the metaphor: like the drug's effect, the moment of profound insight or confusion is temporary, leaving the user—and the listener—to grapple with the question long after the initial sensation has faded.

The primary recurring element in "Nangs" is the lyrical phrase, "But is there something more than that?" This question is the song's entire lyrical content, repeated throughout its short duration. Its recurrence acts as a central motif, drilling down on the theme of existential inquiry and the search for deeper meaning. The repetition transforms the line from a simple question into a powerful, hypnotic mantra. It reflects the cyclical and obsessive nature of a thought that emerges during a moment of intense introspection or altered consciousness.

Musically, the main recurring motif is the iconic, wobbling synthesizer riff. This synth pattern, characterized by its filter modulation, is the hook and structural backbone of the track. Its constant, wave-like motion is hypnotic and serves as the sonic representation of the disorienting physical and mental state the song aims to capture. The interplay between the constant, questioning lyric and the perpetually undulating synth melody creates a powerful and memorable, albeit brief, musical statement.