Neon Indian‘s "Psychic Chasms Possessed," the reissue of "Psychic Chasms" is streaming live on AOL’s Spinner. It is available today, August 31 via digital download, and will be available physically on September 28.
For those unfamiliar with Neon Indian, it’s a psychedelic chill-wave electronica band fronted by Alan Palomo (VEGA, Ghosthunter). The band has been on the rise since 2009 when they released their first single, "Deadbeat Summer," and has since been named one of Rolling Stone‘s Best New Bands of 2010. The debut album, "Psychic Chasms," has been named Best New Music by Pitchfork.com.
Enter the reissue. It includes all of the songs on the original album, plus nine remixes. The overall sound of the album has not changed at all. Psychic Chasms Possessed is just an extention of the chill electronica lo-fi sound that is the original. Use Memory Tapes, Washed Out, or Toro Y Moi as a reference for Neon Indian’s sound.
There is no need to break the original album down song by song, because the whole album is made up of psychedelic, feel-good jams. Simple melodies, layered in the background with strange sound effects with an 80’s vibe. The highlights: "Deadbeat Summer," "Should Have Taken Acid With You," and "Mind, Drips."
Skip past the "7,000 (Reprise)" to get to the remixed part of the album. It starts off with a "Toro Y Moi" version of "Deadbeat Summer," meaning more psychedelic, tempo slowed down, much calmer and less harried. "Should Have Taken Acid With You (Body Language Remix)"; same lullaby synth overtones, new bass undertone, and same regretful chorus line, supposedly about Palomo’s ex-girlfriend and a date they had (to take acid) that he missed. "Terminally Chill (Yacht Remix)" starts with rhythmic clapping and broken down synthetic vocals. The only song that has two remixes, appropriately, is "Psychic Chasms," first with the (Twin Shadows Remix) which starts out slower. Palomo’s vocals are more reminiscent of Echo and the Bunnymen. The second "Psychic Chasms (Anoraak Remix)" starts off with a piano-keyboard sound, and the end of each line echos.
Don’t confuse Neon Indian with a dance band… it’s not exactly that. In fact, it is just what it’s "genre" describes it as. Chill. Listen to them with a drink in hand as you enjoy the last days of summer.
Picture courtesy of Hipsterwave.com
