Spanish indie quartet The Zephyr Bones have, with Neon Body—their recently-released sophomore album—established themselves as an act intent on existing in the hazily-defined space where elements of rock, pop, funk and neo-psychedelia intersect. Combining the lithe grooves of early Chic and the combustive nu-disco of latter-day Daft Punk with the airy synth-pop of Tears For Fears and Let's Dance-era Bowie, The Zephyr Bones have created a record that is at once both familiar and fresh, seeming to be undeniably indebted to its influences but never beholden to them. A lively set wrought in glistering arpeggios and reverberant twangs, Neon Body establishes its intended sonic atmosphere in fine fashion.
Released through indie outfit La Castanya, Neon Body's vinyl edition comes in a couple of variants; there's a limited edition glow in the dark version for those with a preference for such things and a standard black wax edition for those who prefer a more traditional listening experience. We're looking at the latter here—a midweight slab of vinyl manufactured by Czech powerhouse GZ Media. There were a few instances of paper debris on the record's surfaces that were easily removed with a carbon fibre brush. More importantly, the record sits flat and warp-free on the platter and its noise floor is low—as those familiar with GZ's output will likely expect. It's also a clean pressing in general terms; we heard a few errant crackles here and there but nothing we found intrusive and, moreover, nothing to distract from the album's warm sonics and immersive soundstage.
Packaged in a standard-width, non-gatefold sleeve, Neon Body's cover boasts a glossy finish, a printed paper inner sleeve and a download code. Though any insert is always a welcome inclusion in such releases, the paper sleeve found here is of a level of quality that makes it likely to do damage to the record within if used on a long-term basis—so, as always in such cases, we'd advise listeners to sleeve the disc in a higher-quality polylined inner of their own and keep the insert as a solely aesthetic addition. Tastefully arranged and enthusiastically performed, Neon Body is an engaging exercise in soul-inflected indie pop that, in its vinyl edition, proves sufficiently compelling to keep the faithful coming back for more.
