Psychic Chasms
by Neon Indian
  • Record Label: Lefse
  • Release Date: Oct 13, 2009
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. The A.V. Club
    100
    Psychic Chasms is an excellent album of balmy psychedelia and breezy infectiousness.
  2. Pitchfork
    86
    Overall, Psychic Chasms is something like a dream collaboration between the Tough Alliance and Atlas Sound, the latter of whose Internet-only Weekend EP shares a delinquent theme with one of Psychic Chasms' best songs.
  3. Prefix Magazine
    85
    Sure, he takes his cues from old sources, but the result -- dreamwave, or chillwave, or whatever--is so unique and lush that Palomo should be content to ride off of the high you imagine he might get from making something so effective.
  5. Lost At Sea
    83
    [Palomo's] instincts fill Psychic Chasms with the kind of intangible pleasures that make for a dynamic, lyrical-sounding record and a wholly enjoyable listen in spite of any cynicism towards the fad it encapsulates.
  6. Spin
    80
    The "neon" in the name is both a hint and a misnomer: This Austin, Texas duo's debut emanates bright colors even while the glow is muted by lo-fi haze.
  7. Under The Radar
    80
    Alan Palomo's beautiful debut full-length as Neon Indian is a dirty backpack full of distorted synths, hissy cassette tape production, and 8-bit highlights that come together to make an incredibly successful album of druggy, nostalgic, emotionally complex electropop. [Holiday 2009, p.79]
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  8. BBC Music
    80
    While it lacks the freshness that saw it named one of Pitchfork's best albums of last year, there's no doubting that Palomo's best efforts retain their charm a year since they were first heard.
  9. Drowned In Sound
    70
    Throughout the record the ooo-oooh swoopiness is enchanting and the constant SNES-soundtrack bubblings take you back to a simpler, more tranquil and ultimately a place filled with hope.
  10. PopMatters
    70
    Never ominous and always bright, Psychic Chasms is fantastic brain candy in the vein of electronica or millennial psychedelia.
  11. Q Magazine
    60
    It's like a broken radio stuck between frequencies, at once disorienting, woozy and supremely psychedelic. [Nov 2010, p.112]
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  12. cokemachineglow
    55
    Whatever its origins, Psychic Chasms extols no actual reasons for being those ways, instead touching on now-expected tropes and empty gestures to fund a handful of ready-made critical anecdotes and popular opinions.

Awards & Rankings

61
#61 Best Album of 2009

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 40 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 40
  3. Negative: 2 out of 40
  1. AdamK483
    Feb 22, 2013
    10
    A wonderful electronic album with an aesthetic for nostalgic summertime vibes, this is a memorable musical journey for fans of vintage videoA wonderful electronic album with an aesthetic for nostalgic summertime vibes, this is a memorable musical journey for fans of vintage video game themes and catchy synthpop hits. Topped by the unique addition of singer/mastermind Alan Palomo's shoegaze-like vocals, Psychic Chasms is a confident and talent-ridden nod to the joys of being a music junkie.… Full Review »
  2. Tubie
    Nov 3, 2010
    10
    The perfect album for the summer, it came out in 2009 and I still listen to this album regularly, I don't think it's possible to get tired ofThe perfect album for the summer, it came out in 2009 and I still listen to this album regularly, I don't think it's possible to get tired of it. I hope Alan Palomo can continue producing great music like this album and his various remixes.… Full Review »
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