Neon Indian – VEGA Intl. Night School
Released: October 16, 2015
Rating: 88/100

Amidst the bubbling asymmetry of Neon Indian’s first two albums, there are moments of remarkable clarity. The nostalgic haze of Psychic Chasms and the 8-bit grime of Era Extraña showed the promise of Alan Palomo’s vision for Neon Indian but these albums managed only an intermittent fulfillment of that promise.  Surrounding the triumph of “Deadbeat Summer”, “Should Have Taken Acid With You” and “Polish Girl”, are sloppy amorphous interludes that seem more like studio experiments than intentionally constructed songs. Palomo has lingered on the fringes of alternative electronic music since his 2009 debut but, with the release of his third LP VEGA Intl. Night School, Neon Indian finally sounds ready for mass consumption.

Despite starting with a syrupy instrumental intro track, VEGA Intl. Night School is a far more structured album than either of Neon Indian’s previous releases. Following the overture-ish…