Neon Trees Essentials

Neon Trees burst out of the American rock scene as one of the 21st century's slickest purveyors of '80s-inspired synth-pop. While much of their New Wave pomp hints at bands like The Killers—who gave them their first prime opening gig in 2008—they push it in several different directions: big, spiky rock riffs in "Animal"; dance-floor drama in the moody "Lessons in Love (All Day, All Night)”, with producer Kaskade; soulful pop grooves in "Sleeping With a Friend". Through all the gloss, frontman Tyler Glenn adds some gravity but peels back the shiny facade of love and fame in the process.