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Era Extrana
by
Era Extrana Image
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 33 Ratings

  • Artist(s): Alan Palomo
  • Summary: The chillwave band from Texas returns with another album of experimental pop, recorded during a long Helsinki winter.
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Polish Girl
It's been at least another year And still I haven't got the chance to say Always rolling off the tongue Never said but nearly sung about a million... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. New Musical Express (NME)
    Oct 3, 2011
    80
    Leaping from its 2009 predecessor, Psychic Chasms, with the first notes of 'Heart: Attack', Era Extrana becomes a lesson in how to execute electronic music properly.
  2. Delusions of Adequacy
    Oct 31, 2011
    80
    It'd be a daunting feat for anyone to furnish a respectable sophomore LP after the hype of a debut like Psychic Chasms, but Alan Palomo succeeds here, blessed with an innate ability to temper previous charms with present provocations.
  3. Mojo
    Dec 22, 2011
    80
    It's a dream, this pop. [Nov 2011, p.100]
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  4. Beats Per Minute
    Sep 14, 2011
    79
    Era Extraña does not flow as smoothly as Psychic Chasms but the influences are in all the right places and it seems that Alan Palomo is wearing them proudly on his sleeve.
  5. Paste Magazine
    Sep 12, 2011
    75
    Part of what makes Era Extrana a great follow-up to Psychic Chasms is that it features the same lazy summer feel that made Neon Indian's debut so popular.
  6. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Sep 23, 2011
    70
    It's an agreeable listening experience with moments of catchiness and beauty throughout, and hints of an evolutionary path that leave future expectations open-ended.
  7. PopMatters
    Oct 3, 2011
    50
    That an artist's introversion sometimes has to come at the expense of catchy songs is fine. It's the record's lack of variation (a la playful ditties like "Laughing Gas") that weighs down the proverbial whole.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Paulsack
    Jan 20, 2012
    10
    This album pushes Neon Indian's sound forward in a good direction. It continues to explore dreamy psychedelic electric textures, but theThis album pushes Neon Indian's sound forward in a good direction. It continues to explore dreamy psychedelic electric textures, but the production has been upped a bit and the songs are more emotional. They continue to infuse amazing interludes into a coherent album as they did on Psychic Chasms, but it is so much more fluid and engaging here. I listened to Psychic Chasms a lot, but this is just a huge step beyond that. Highlights to me are "Era Extrana" and "Future Sick", but the entire album is really top notch space pop in my opinion. Darker, more developed, and more enjoyable. I think Neon Indian aced it with this album.… Expand
  2. coltron0
    Oct 11, 2011
    9
    Going in a positive direction from the last effort, Neon Indian returns sporting a very, lo-fi, 8-bit inspired sound. Electronic in nature,Going in a positive direction from the last effort, Neon Indian returns sporting a very, lo-fi, 8-bit inspired sound. Electronic in nature, featuring plenty of well-developed ambiance. One of the best of the year, and one of the best chillwave releases as of yet. Very excited to see at Lights All Night in Dallas.… Expand
  4. AdamK483
    Feb 22, 2013
    9
    Whereas Psychic Chasms played on the more summer ridden, upbeat agenda, Era Extrana carries a sound that plays with cloudier tones. Its also aWhereas Psychic Chasms played on the more summer ridden, upbeat agenda, Era Extrana carries a sound that plays with cloudier tones. Its also a louder record at moments, displaying moments of energetic arena rock and noisy guitar riffs. The love of video games is still present and a welcoming flirtation with a bit of a dancier tone, particularly with "Polish Girl" and "Suns Irrupt." This is a wonderful follow-up that shows creative determination to make interesting music.… Expand
  5. darthpat
    Sep 21, 2011
    8
    Era Extrana really develops Neon Indian's sound, its a bit more self-conscious in a good way, and it feels more developed than psychic chasms;Era Extrana really develops Neon Indian's sound, its a bit more self-conscious in a good way, and it feels more developed than psychic chasms; If Chasms was the fun summery debut than Extrana is the slightly darker artistic statement, more suited for Autumn night drives. Era Extrana might not be as fun, but its just as accomplished, if not more so than NI's debut.… Expand
  6. LuizCC
    Jan 8, 2012
    8
    It's a little odd for me how this album sounded muck alike MGMT's Oracular Spectacular. Despite that, it is a powerful continuation to theIt's a little odd for me how this album sounded muck alike MGMT's Oracular Spectacular. Despite that, it is a powerful continuation to the excellent "Psychic Chasms", but, in a second listening, the songs sound the same, like if they little pieces of a huge story. Can't wait for their third album.… Expand
  7. Hohenheim
    Sep 14, 2011
    6
    Nowadays, music genres rise and fall in popularity on a yearly, if not monthly, basis. There was a time when Texas' Neon Indian was theNowadays, music genres rise and fall in popularity on a yearly, if not monthly, basis. There was a time when Texas' Neon Indian was the vanguard of "chillwave," named for its dreamy synthwork layered around deliciously nebulous vocals. The group's debut Psychic Chasmsâ… Expand
  8. Belmsher
    Sep 19, 2011
    6
    Being entirely honest, Era Extraña is a bit of a letdown and clearly recessive. Been waiting for it all summer, my curiosityBeing entirely honest, Era Extraña is a bit of a letdown and clearly recessive. Been waiting for it all summer, my curiosity fed by Polish Girl and Fallout, which at the end of the day come out as the best tracks, yet the entire thing is way more cohesive than Psychic Chasms.… Collapse

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