The Neighbourhood and Why They're My Favorite

You may have heard the phrase, "there's no such thing as an artist with no bad songs". This may be true for most, and of course, music is subjective, but the best indie band by far is The Neighborhood. Some solo artists are incredible, such as Khalid or Ariana Grande, but the Neighbourhood hits the heartstrings. Here are my favorite songs from each album!

Single: Wires

Although this song is a single and one of the first they released, it's one of my favorites and I couldn't not mention it. It's eerie, chilling, and gets under your skin. It's something that would be part of a soundtrack of a movie about kids undermining the government after the apocalypse. This song reminds me of early Twenty One Pilots; it has that eerie quality that's nearly impossible to find anywhere else.

Debut Album: I Love You

Sweater Weather: This is a 'The Neighbourhood' classic, sometimes even referred to as "the bisexual anthem". The singer speaks to heartache, but in a beautiful and positive way whereas many heartbreak songs are painful and/or depressing. The chords in this song are ethereal, and although it's one of their most well-known songs, I don't think it's been overplayed at all.

Female Robbery: The vocals on this song are ghostly. This song reminds me of the Do I Wanna Know by the Arctic Monkeys. It's hard to put a finger on it, but it has the same vibe: power chords and deep bass without being obvious. The background is simple but perfectly fitting, and the pleading quality of this song draws sympathy and an immediate connection with the artist.

Afraid: This song reminds me of the novel Girl In Pieces because of its gentle and scared tone, as well as its wistfulness. This song has the quality of something you heard long ago, even if you've never heard it before. The backgrounds are a great balance to the vocals and this band, again, does a great job of creating a haunting feeling.

Between these two albums, they released a mixtape titled #000000 & #FFFFFF. Although I don't mention any of those songs here, you should definitely go check it out!

Second Album: Wiped Out

Cry Baby: Wow. This song is excellent! It's hard to describe why I personally am so drawn to it, but my interpretation of it is a man so in love with someone no matter how worn out he is; he will love them to the absolute best of his ability. It's also one of the most upbeat songs they have. The song draws to a close with a comforting feeling, as though Jesse Rutherford (the lead singer) is telling us that everything will be okay. This song also has the unique element that only songs performed live have- the emotions haven't been stripped by studio recording. This is my favorite part about Cry Baby.

Daddy Issues: The drums are a feature on this song. There's no dramatic solo, but in my opinion, they make the song. The title isn't just about a girl with daddy issues, but the vocalist is absolutely in love with her and puts up with a lot of BS. The dreamy intro and chorus gives way to a drier, more direct bridge which then almost immediately goes back to the dreamy chorus. The perfect transitions give a great sense of the emotional mood swings of this relationship.

The Beach: This is the most passionate song by them that I've heard. The introduction features stirring, quiet sound. Although most of their songs are about being reactive towards someone they love, this one is more direct and aggressive, more active vs. reactive. The background music gives the listener the most quiet yet intense swelling of sound. It completely surrounds you while not overwhelming you. This is what I would consider a 'crooning song'. I might even compare Jesse Rutherford on this song to *gasp* Freddie Mercury.

4-Part Project: Hard To Imagine the Neighbourhood Ever Changing

This project has a TON of songs on it- over twenty (this was made over the course of years). All of them are good, but here are my absolute favorites.

24/7: The opening chords immediately pull you in. It's a sweeter, more electronic vibe than any of their other songs. It's hopeful, in a major key, and the drums are sparse. The vocals remind me of Twenty One Pilots, but, again, that's a good thing! Personally, the lyrics speak to me; it describes how most of my friends and I are: available 24/7 to talk if someone needs it.

Scary Love: Back to the more desperate tones! It's almost shocking how despondent these songs can be. Although this song could easily be upbeat, it's not. It's just not. It's still incredible, but the fast city-ish vibe makes this seem like an ending credits song. Not sure why this isn't the closing song, but they made this project/EP over the course of years.

Blue: This is different from their other songs. The introducing electric guitar pulls you in completely. This is the closest to a Top 40 they'll ever get (hopefully- I don't want this to be one of THOSE bands). The accidentals and minor chord progression is different than any I've heard before. The drums are in perfect balance with the other backgrounds and the vocals. This is the kind of song you need to listen to with earbuds while crying in the car on a rainy day.

Compass: There's no intro. It's just vocals and some backgrounds that jump right in, but they make it work. There are different elements, especially the unique use of the synth-type music. It sounds similar to their other songs, but it's different in other ways if you listen deeply enough. For example, it's more peaceful and is more indie pop than indie rock.

Sadderdaze: This song just straight-up depressing, but thought-provoking. It reminds me everyone is human. It's more of a basic, non-complex concept, but the way the backgrounds almost overflow the vocals is different than any of their other songs. The use of orchestral instruments forces you to process to each individual element of this song. It's a great blend that completely captivates the listener.

Overall, these songs give me a look into the Neighourhood's head. (Yes they're all different people.) Let's assume the writer is the lead singer. He loves too hard, puts up with too much, but lets his emotions pour out. He's tired. Exhausted, even. Part of the reason these songs are so amazing is because nothing is held back. Honesty is painful at times, but these songs force you to consider your own choices and circumstances and self-reflect.