The Neighbourhood's Debut EP: I'm Sorry...

It’s difficult these days to dig through the heaps of cookie cutter bands and albums coming out seemingly every week and find a new and talented band that is bound for genuine success.  I’m not talking about the success that comes from a band strung together around an American Idol winner, or anyone from the Mickey Mouse Club, I’m talking about success that comes from passionate artists, and real musicians.

New on the scene and currently under the radar is the California based band, “The Neighbourhood.”  Their debut EP titled “I’m Sorry…” dropped on May 7^th and has been gaining notoriety since.  It fits into an evolving genre of music that blends primarily indie-pop, hip-hop, and rock.  The album has gritty vocals, raw drums, and layered harmonies that combine to form deep tracks.

The opening track, titled “Female Robbery,” will soon have audiences throwing their hands up and nodding their heads. The track starts with haunting bells, echoes, sirens and a driving bass that leads into the first verse.  Lead singer Jesse Rutheford sings with rhythm stemming from his hip hop background.  If your hands aren’t up, and your heads not nodding yet, the chorus will likely do the trick.  As the layered and haunting track drives on, Rutheford pleads with paranoia “don’t let the police know anything, anything…” The track’s lyrics narrate the paranoid thoughts of someone who feels they’re being followed and conspired against.  Rutheford sings “I bet they planned it all out, like the shows, went everywhere I go, walked in the store right behind me, stood in line right beside me and followed me to my home.”  The song concludes with deep, howling, layered tracks as Rutheford despairingly sings “we’re gonna die.” 

The next track titled “Leaving Tonight” builds up to its chorus with wailing guitars and heavy drums.  The third song of the EP titled “Baby Came Home,” slows the album down briefly until Jesse Rutheford belts “I think if you saw her, then even you would know that she’s mine” followed by a piercing half minute guitar solo, long for the standards of the modern music industry. 

Following “Baby Came Home,” is the rhythmic and catchy pop tune “Sweater Weather.”  Sure to grab teenage hearts, this track is the most appealing to the masses, and will soon be heard on your local radio I’m sure.  Closing out the EP is “Wires.”  The song draws on similar themes as “Female Robbery,” dealing with a mentally deranged character.  “If he said help me kill the president, I’d say he needs medicine,” Rutheford sings.  “Wires” brings out the hip-hop background of Rutheford with little range in the vocals, a simple beat, and a female vocalist singing the hook.

The Neighbourhood’s “I’m Sorry…” is a solid debut EP sure to gain them notoriety.  Its lo-fi production makes it original and experimental, yet its melodies and hooks make it catchy and upbeat.  Look for The Neighbourhood to break onto the scene as summer draws near its end.  

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