Neon Indian’s newest effort, Era Extraña, released Sept. 13th, makes yet another big splash in the burgeoning “chillwave” movement (also known as “glo-fi”) that is dominating the indie-pop scene. Puns aside, it’s a solid and fun album.
Chillwave is a weird cross between ’60s psychedelic (think late Beatles and fringe jackets) and ’80s new wave (think Human League, Depeche Mode, and acid wash jeans). Despite its upbringings, it somehow works- and it works well.
Neon Indian originally started out as a side project for Denton native Alan Palomo but has since become his primary focus. His debut album, Psychic Chasms, was well received and critically acclaimed in 2010. Currently touring on the festival circuit, Neon Indian has become a heavy player in the music scene. If you like electro-pop music, then this is something you definitely will want to check out for yourself. Neon Indian could easily be described as more spirited version of Washed Out and a more produced Toro y Moi.
Era Extraña is a more mature album that we all want and will quickly love. While the first two singles from the album, “Fall Out” and “Polish Girl” are noteworthy songs, “Halogen (I could be a Shadow)” is Palomo’s finest song yet. It shows nuanced depth yet does not sacrifice the peppy, danceable factor of his earlier music. There are one or two misses in the album, however. “Suns Interrupt” could stand to be a minute shorter, and the ending track, “Heart: Release,” allows Era Extraña to trail away. It lacks a firm sense of resolution to the album. But in the same regard that the album is an extension (of sorts) to Psychic Chasms, maybe this album is lending itself to be lead-in to Palomo’s next work.
If you’re looking for something to listen to whilst walking across campus to class, or jogging around the Lunsford, then this album is the perfect juxtaposition to such activities. It’s energetic in some places but easy-going in others.
Overall, Era Extraña will be the magnum opus of the Chillwave canon. Until of course, Neon Indian outdoes himself yet again.
The album is currently available for online streaming via NPR.
