vinylfanatics.com

**★★★★☆**

The neon lights have dimmed, the synthesizers have been packed away, and Alan Palomo's dreamy chillwave project has entered indefinite hibernation. While Neon Indian hasn't officially called it quits, the silence since 2015's "VEGA INTL. Night School" speaks volumes about an artist who may have said everything he needed to say about late-night drives, nostalgic romance, and the intoxicating blur of youth. If this indeed marks the end of Neon Indian's journey, then "VEGA INTL. Night School" serves as a remarkably fitting swan song – a mature, confident album that finds Palomo trading his bedroom recording setup for something far more ambitious and polished.

The album's legacy has only grown stronger in the years since its release, standing as perhaps the definitive statement of what chillwave could become when it grew up. While contemporaries either faded into obscurity or pivoted dramatically away from their synth-soaked origins, Palomo managed to evolve his sound without abandoning the dreamy aesthetic that made Neon Indian essential listening for anyone with a functioning pair of headphones and a tendency toward melancholy.

The standout tracks read like a masterclass in modern psychedelic pop. "Slumlord" opens the album with a hypnotic groove that immediately establishes this as a more focused, danceable effort than its predecessors. The song's pulsing bassline and crystalline production create an irresistible momentum that carries throughout the album's 49-minute runtime. "Annie" serves as the album's emotional centerpiece, a gorgeous meditation on memory and longing that showcases Palomo's growth as both a songwriter and vocalist. His voice, once buried beneath layers of reverb and distortion, emerges clear and confident, delivering lines like "Annie, I had a dream about you" with genuine tenderness rather than ironic detachment.

"61 Cygni Ave" might be the album's most immediately gratifying moment, a shimmering slice of retro-futurism that sounds like it was beamed in from some alternate timeline where disco never died and synthesizers achieved sentience. The track's infectious energy and pristine production make it an ideal entry point for newcomers while satisfying longtime fans with its sophisticated arrangement and subtle harmonic complexity.

Stylistically, "VEGA INTL. Night School" represents a fascinating evolution from Neon Indian's earlier lo-fi aesthetic. Where 2009's breakthrough "Psychic Chasms" felt like it was recorded through a haze of VHS static and prescription medication, this album embraces clarity and precision. The influence of French house music is unmistakable, with crisp drum programming and luxurious synthesizer textures that recall the golden age of Daft Punk and Justice. Yet Palomo never loses sight of his chillwave roots, maintaining the dreamy, nostalgic atmosphere that made Neon Indian special while pushing the sound into more sophisticated territory.

The album's genesis can be traced back to a period of creative restlessness for Palomo, who had grown tired of the bedroom producer tag and yearned to create something more ambitious. After relocating to Los Angeles and immersing himself in the city's electronic music scene, he began crafting what would become his most cohesive and fully realized statement. The "Night School" concept isn't just a clever title – it reflects Palomo's own education in advanced production techniques and his desire to prove that chillwave could be more than just a nostalgic novelty.

The album's production, handled by Palomo himself with assistance from Mac DeMarco collaborator Peter Katis, achieves a perfect balance between warmth and precision. Every element feels carefully considered, from the subtle guitar textures that weave throughout tracks like "Dear Skorpio Magazine" to the immaculate vocal harmonies that elevate songs like "Street Level" beyond simple genre exercises.

If "VEGA INTL. Night School" indeed represents the final chapter in the Neon Indian story, it's a conclusion worth celebrating. Palomo created an album that honors the past while pointing toward possible futures, a sophisticated piece of electronic pop that rewards both casual listening and deep analysis. In an era of playlist culture and shortened attention spans, "VEGA INTL. Night School" makes a compelling case for the album as artistic statement – a neon-soaked journey through memory, desire, and the endless possibility of the night.