If you’ve never heard of The Neighbourhood, now is the time to learn who they are. They stepped into the spotlight in 2011 with songs that spoke to adolescents across the globe (aka they had a whole lot of angst). You’ve probably seen their famous upside down house logo but if you’re not familiar with it now you will be. With the new release of their latest album Wiped Out! the alternative rock band is coming back stronger than ever. Although the new album is reminiscent of their older music, it takes on a more mature tone.
The first song of the album titled “A Moment of Silence” is everything that the name implies: 30 seconds of pure nothingness. Perhaps it’s a joke, making us think our volume is off or maybe it gives us a brief instant to reflect in a melancholic sort of way. Genius.
In the album, we hear the band experimenting by blending different genres of music. Take the song “Prey”, where undercurrents of alt-rock and R&B can be heard mashed together. Or perhaps you prefer something more “beachy”, have a listen to the song that takes the albums name, Wiped Out! With its hazy feel, you can’t go wrong listening to it.
The tracks “Cry Baby” and “Greetings from Califournia” reflect a new upbeat style the band is not ordinarily known for. The Neighbourhood incorporates these up-tempo songs with success and sophistication; something they were not quite able to accomplish in their first album and EPs.
Their slower songs “Single”, “Beach”, and “Baby Come Home 2/ Valentines” make you feel a nostalgia that you never thought you had. Throughout the whole album we hear the lead singer, Jesse Rutherford, take us on an emotional journey with his strikingly vulnerable singing. His voice adds to the gothic/chill beach vibe that the band is famous for.
The Neighbourhood never fails to grab their listener’s attention with their distinct sound and emotionally affecting songs. Their minimalistic album covers reflect a theme of “black and white” emotions and overall repressed sensitivity, which is ever so popular with the music lovers of 2015. As a whole, Wiped Out! promotes this California-native band in a positive way. Based on the success of this album we should expect even better things from the NBHD in the future.