Its 2022 and Underlined Passages are back in full force with their new record, Neon Inoculation.
Neon Inoculation is a not-so-veiled homage to the past two years and all we have been through. But bottom-line up front: this is an expansive modern indie rock record (especially the "Mixtape" version available on YouTube) that takes fans beyond the emotive and melodic guitar-driven work Underlined Passages is known for.
This is NOT a record you put on in the background as you scroll through Instagram or feed the cats. Instead, Neon Inoculation is the type of record that requires you to spread out on the bedroom or living room floor, pull out the cover art, and let your mind wander as you traverse its peaks and valleys.
If you love good alternative rock/pop in the indie space, Neon Inoculation is for you.
It seems like the band agrees because the "Mixtape" version is a 40-minute video collage of found footage that has additional between-song interludes and beckons you to sit and stay for a while and let the experience wash over you.
Brilliantly curated to create the aesthetic of a modern-day "sit in the beanbag chair and just listen" experience-Neon Inoculation and its sister, Neon Inoculation (Mixtape), are both old-school and new-school, nostalgic and future-facing, and imminently in the present. Something cool happens when a band starts to experiment yet does not let go of their core sound, and Underlined Passages has reached that apex with this new record.
A slew of references could be slung to let you know what you are getting into-but understand that Underlined Passages have their own distinct sound that is not simply the sum of parts. You must experience it for yourself and decide whether you are willing to take the leap into their universe-as so many have. So many have enjoyed the body of work Underlined Passages has produced over the past six years-their last record Tandi My Dicafi was a fan and critical success.
These dudes just make good indie-rock records.
Let's take a crack at least contextualizing this for you past and present. Starting with the present: Neon Inoculation is well within the realm of contemporaries King Park, Ellevator, Port Cities, Hillsburn, and Math Club-but they are a more guitar rockier, keyboard-driven, and ethereal cousin to these bands.
Nostalgically, this record is very influenced by the dark pop of the late 80s with the clear combination of Michael Nestor's chime-y guitars and Roland Juno-infused riffs. The unmistakable R&B/hip-hop/jazz-rock signature of Jamaal Turner's drumming takes the catchy Promise Ring/Nada Surf/Karate-influenced songs into a new dimension. Turner's percussion makes the songs on Neon Inoculation reminiscent of Nu Schooz, Massive Attack, Portishead, Howard Jones, and The System.
Cool indeed.
This is a record well worth your time if you love the intersection between indie rock/indie pop and nostalgic late 80s. It has a great aesthetic-and scrapes references to vaporwave with an approving nod of the head.
Nestor stated, "The influences for this record have been eclectic and from all corners of the musical universe. However, the biggest influence for me while working on this record was Jennifer Jane Nicely's Angels, Demons, Red Tail-Hawks. Figure that one out! That is just how it was with this one."
Always happy to share music with others, Turner and Nestor created a playlist to match the ones they have curated for us in the past. They love to highlight their label mates from Mint400 Records and give some clues about what they are listening to.
Turner said about Neon Inoculation and this playlist, "The meaning of this record to me is centered around the idea of how time ushers in musical change-while at the same time reminding about what is loved from the past. We hoped to represent this past/present/future relationship in Neon Inoculation. You can also see that reflected in this playlist."