As has been the case throughout the Trump presidency, the best protest songs have also been the least noisy—case in point, the return of Alan Palomo’s Neon Indian project is an anti-anti-immigration anthem characterized by pop vocals and upbeat synths that hit harder than a blow to Richard Spencer’s face. With the exception of a few loose singles, “Toyota Man” is the Monterrey, Mexico–born Palomo’s first new music since 2015’s VEGA INTL. Night School, and a vibrant look at what lies in store for the no-longer-all-that-chillwave pioneer.
While maintaining the genre’s colorful aesthetic, the video for the contagiously upbeat track (and proper introduction to Palomo’s fluent Spanish) sees the songwriter braving America’s oppressive disposable workforce and the sleazy car salesmen who enforce it; meanwhile, a Trump piñata runs for its life and dancing cop and Uncle Sam puppets spout anti-union rhetoric. It’s all very goofy, while also being plenty emotional. Watch it below.
There’s no word on a new album yet, but Neon Indian is on tour through November. See all U.S. dates beneath the video.
11/14 – Brooklyn NY @ Elsewhere
11/16 – Washington DC @ 9:30 Club
11/17 – Boston MA @ Big Night Live
11/20 – Montreal QC @ L’Astral
11/21 – Toronto ON @ Velvet Underground
11/22 – Detroit MI @ El Club
11/23 – Chicago IL @ Metro
11/24 – St. Paul MN @ Turf Club
11/26 – Omaha NE @ Slowdown
11/27 – Denver CO @ Bluebird Theater
11/29 – Salt Lake City UT @ Metro
