Neon Indian Vega Intl. Night School

Chillwave pioneer Neon Indian is the brainchild of musician/Ted Talk deliverer Alan Palomo, and third album Vega Intl. Night School finds the group delving into retro territory, utilizing vintage synths and playing with ’80s synth-pop and R&B styles. Lead single “Annie” was all over indie radio playlists during the summer, with a sunny, dancehall-infused beat, but it’s much more UB40 than Buju Banton. The grooving “The Glitzy Hive” finds Paloma in his element, channeling old school boogie-woogie like a pre-Thriller Michael Jackson, while the hilarious “Dear Skorpio Magazine” has him penning a letter to a defunct adult magazine over filtered, MF Doom-y bounce. The crown jewel of the album comes in the two-part “Slumlord” and “Slumlord’s Re-Lease,” a gorgeous ode to ’80s action movies, which bleeds into deep house cut “Techno Clique.” Despite its wide array of influences, Neon Indian maintains a signature sound throughout its latest LP. Class is in session.