Neon Indian
"Polish Girl"
[Mom & Pop/Static Tongues]

Neon Indian's Alan Palomo has seen way too many sci-fi movies. Even if it weren't for the excellent video that accompanies "Polish Girl" -- a strange, touching tale of unrequited love in the time of near-singularity-- the track itself would be proof enough. So it's probably not a total coincidence that the same year we find out about a Blade Runner sequel, we're also offered this steamy hookup jam that's strictly for the cybernetic. Era Extraña, Neon Indian's sophomore effort, was a record with at least four or five songs that could've comfortably made this list, all future-leaning and surprisingly sultry. But "Polish Girl" remains the best-- worthy of lead-single honors and still the flat-out hookiest, it's light years away from the material on debut Psychic Chasms. There's a ton to like here-- Palomo's comely vocal, those raygun blurts, that body-rocking rhythm track-- but nothing stood up to that simple, impossible-to-get-out-of-your-head synth hook. With only a few key strokes, no one has so quickly and willingly outed themselves as a replicant as Palomo does here. --Zach Kelly