Neon Dreams

Album Review

Neon Dreams is London-based James Connolly's (aka L-Vis) attempt to "recapture the elements that made him fall in love with dance music." Neon Dreams is an unashamedly nostalgic affair which, as indicated by his alias, harks back to the second wave of the Chicago house and Detroit techno movements. Recorded on classic analog synths and Roland drum machines, it's a task which the Night Slugs label co-founder passes with flying colors. The melodic, electro-funk of "Lost in Love" and "Feel the Void" channel the spirit of scene pioneers Steve Hurley and Frankie Knuckles with ease; the distorted Barry White-esque vocals and skittering rhythms of the downtempo "The Beach," and the kaleidoscopic synths which accompany Samantha Lim's disengaged tones on "Tonight" help provide convincing acid house throwbacks, while "Cruisin'" is a hypnotic, old-school instrumental packed with twisted techno bleeps, minimal beats, and Moog basslines. But it's the album's sole venture outside four-on-the-floor territory, "One More Day" — a gorgeously reflective electro-ballad featuring an array of claustrophobic beats, warm '80s synths, and Javeon McCarthy's soulful harmonies — which provides the highlight. Occasionally, the album displays a few too many production tricks, particularly on the heavily vocodered "Shy Light," which comes across more as a parody than an affectionate homage, and the prog-inspired "I Feel It," while the dubstep leanings of "Forever You" sit at odds with the prevalent vintage vibes. However, while most recent retro-dance pastiches have focused on the electro of the early '80s or the Italo house of the mid-'90s, Neon Dreams is still a refreshing and authentic take on a neglected floor-filling sound which is long overdue a love letter. ~ Jon O'Brien, Rovi