In 2009, Neon Indian was part of a slew of artists that defined a new era of electronica based alternative rockers combining a love for hot, hazy, summery afternoons with chill electro beats and a love for the theremin. Their debut LP, Psychic Chasms, was the kind of fever dream that yearned for bright colors, a sea of Oakley Frogskins, and broken in Vans slip-on tennis shoes with soundscapes that blended Hipster coolness with fratboy party mode. In many ways, Neon Indian, and their chillwave brethren like Com Truise and Washed Out, were instrumental in the popularity of many similar tropicool, synth heavy acts on the current electronic circuit like Goldroom, Miami Horror, or Poolside.
And now, after 2011’s much heavier, 80’s shoegaze influenced Era Extraña, Neon Indian has released a taste of their newest album.
Titled “Annie,” Neon Indian’s spirit, Alan Palomo, searches for answers by looking to the past for consolation. What happens is the best kind of discovery: by embracing past pop beats like Lionel Richie’s “All Night Long” or the lighter side of Oingo Boingo, we get a newer edge from Palomo that samples elements of ska, Latin beat, and a tinge of reggae. These details, lovingly re-appropriated by the Neon Indian crew, fleshes out a pool party anthem with optimum levels of flanger, bass, and sex appeal. Bros be warned – this isn’t going to sound like the mainstream conception of tropical house, especially as it drives into 80’s synth revival at the 3-minute mark, but it sounds fabulous, fresh, and will go incredibly well with a piña colada.