The Neighbourhood returns with an artistic vengeance on new EP, Hard

Sarah Beckford

The Neighbourhood has again returned to stun their fans and critics with their latest EP, Hard. The band, best known for hits such as ‘Sweater Weather’, ‘The Beach’, and RIP to My Youth, has again improved upon their ever-changing style on each of the five songs on the EP. Hard opens with ‘Roll Call’, which provides a blues-grunge type of instrumentation, with heavy bass and drums. ‘Roll Call’ features Jesse Rutherford’s unique falsetto, and one can’t quite tell what genre he’s singing in- which is trademark of the Neighborhood. The Neighbourhood aren’t fully alternative, pop, or even hip-hop- they’ve created their own lane of music and artistry, and this in and of itself is important, especially in an industry always looking to the sounds that are for tomorrow’s listeners. This crossing of genres and is evident on the chorus of ‘Roll Call’, which has layered, echoed vocals paired with thudding instrumentation. ‘You Get Me So High’ is a low, haunting and smoky track, with Rutherford singing in the lower part of his voice, over a beat mostly made of kick drums and snares. ‘You Get Me So High’ has trap and rap influences, but still functions as an alternative song with its own uniqueness, especially with Jesse Rutherford’s falsetto on the bridge. The EP then smoothly rolls into ‘Noise,’ a song that tackles the music industry, amongst other topics. With stunning lyricism, Rutherford sings his grievances with ease and persuasion: “Why’d you ever make me choose? /I don’t wanna be like you/I thought I knew you but I never knew you would turn us into animals.” ‘24/7’ is quick and suave, and would most likely do well as a radio single. Hard closes with ‘Sadderdaze,’ a jazzy but reflective song that seems almost autobiographical but still relatable. ‘Sadderdaze’ seems to tell the story of a musician who seems displeased at how they’re being treated, and eventually becomes bitter. The song provides a soft epilogue to the EP, which, despite its track length, still delivers, even at the last notes of the chorus like vocals and guitars. Once again, The Neighbourhood has thundered back to their listeners, providing new music that will definitely not be met with silence or go unnoticed. Through this EP, The Neighbourhood has gently reminded us all that they still make the charming, stand-out music that made us all become fans at the first listen.

