This review has been a whirlwind for me. I’ve traveled a bunch and my life has been a whirlwind of chaos. And this music has kind of permeated all of that. I wasn’t sure how to approach this review. Sometimes I do a song-by-song overview but I just don’t know how much use that really has in all this.

I’ve reviewed dance discs in the past and its always been a bit weird trying to get the lyrical depths of the songs explained in detail. The point of the music in a lot of these cases is chill, to dance, to feel good.

So I kind of enter into my fourth or fifth attempt of reviewing the new Neon Indian disc with that in mind. Now that I’ve been out to Long Beach California, this album makes a lot more sense. This is the soundtrack of palm trees, waves on the beach, late nights in entertainment districts, with friends, fun, and the mystery of the unknown.

Stylistically we’re dealing with guitar, bass, synths, drum machines, vocals. There’s smart use of light reverb for the sake of presence, and there’s a bit of a pop-sheen to the record. I think what Neon Indian has done is released a very unpretentious and honest dance record. This is a downtempo mix of songs that you could listen to in your home, it could be the soundtrack to a very chill car-ride, or perhaps an ultra-cool lounge.

This is a collection of anthems that echo the summer, youth, and fun.

I’m a fan of Neon Indian, and I’ve followed his career for awhile, and I’m glad to see that this latest record doesn’t deviate from what he’s known for, what he’s loved for. This is a sonic exploration piece, a subconscious journey of chill, to an island nation somewhere in the pacific where it never snows and the waves wash against the shore daily. Its funky, it’s psychedelic, its downbeat.

Ultimately, this album is an adrenaline soaked YET chill as hell listening session that’ll enhance any moment you decide to apply its nuanced noise to. In the same vein as Major Laser’s earlier release this year, it’ll be a hit in the clubs, albeit in a more chilled out way. Whereas that album was banger after banger, these are softer and perhaps more poised for the wintertime. I imagine there’ll be a lot of get-togethers of close friends with this record playing, wine out, and perhaps even a fire-place lit, paired with casual conversation and low-key radness.