The Neighbourhood’s new album embraces nostalgia

After a five year hiatus, The Neighbourhood is back with (((((ultraSOUND))))), a homecoming album for the band and the fans who have missed them.

Vocalist Jesse Rutherford, drummer Brandon Fried, and guitarists Zachary Abels and Jeremiah Freedman go back to their alt-rock roots or the group’s new album. (((((ultraSOUND))))) marks a return to the moody, atmospheric melodies while expanding the boundaries of their traditional sound.  

The five-year hiatus following the group’s 2020 album “Chip Chrome & The Mono-Tones” wasn’t completely silent for the band. Rutherfoord released two albums, while Freedman, Fried, and Margott worked on other side projects. 

(((((ultraSOUND))))) brings back all the nostalgia for fans of the band. The album cover features an upside-down house, a nod to their previous work during the 2010s Tumblr era. The track “Mama Drama” seems to be an ode to their 2015 hit “Daddy Issues.” 

The band’s return to music also comes with some controversy. Fried was previously let go from the group following a sexual assault allegation from The Marías’ María Zardoya. He has since been welcomed back to the group and is featured on (((((ultraSOUND))))). This has left some listeners thinking this is the reason for the muted press coverage and talk surrounding the album.  

 The five-year hiatus brings some maturity to the album, along with nods to old hits and classic sounds from The Neighbourhood. However, the band fails to develop anything new or make any real strides with the album, marred by Fried’s sexual assault allegations and lack of innovation.

The opening track “Hula Girl” finds Rutherford over a guitar filled track, leaving listeners with a classic new The Neighbourhood song. “OMG” and “Lovebomb” brings listeners back to the minimalist beats and synths. These two tracks bring back the coziness of the band’s old hits mixed with Rutherford’s distinct vocals. 

“Private” leans into the edginess of The Neighbourhood’s sound. Rutherford sings about the need to keep a relationship private and explores insecurities of a relationship. The final lyrics feature a voice memo at the end where a woman says “The Neighbourhood.” “Lil Ol Me” and “Planet” build tension in the beginning of the album. These tracks bring raw admissions of doubt, regret, and hope, showcasing the band’s ability to connect with listeners. “Holy Ghost” explores loss and how it feels to lose a home or a soul.

The middle track “Rabbit” find Rutherford on a road to self-destruction. The five-minute track features beach-like guitar rifts as Rutherford dives into self-angst and sadness. This track brings introspection into the band and how they’re feeling after five years. “Tides,” “Daisy Chain” and “Zombie” continue with raw admissions of the inner feelings of The Neighbourhood. 

“Crushed” and “Mute” demonstrate the songwriting skills of Rutherford and showcases his growth as a lyricist. The track strays away from their previous hits and explores feelings of loss and reconciliation. These themes repeat throughout previous tracks as well. 

The closing track “Stupid Boy” explores the juxtaposition of life. The bridge of the track compares opposing ideas such as “the mascot” and “the icon” to opposing forces in life. As these opposite forces come together, life begins to lose meaning for the band. This again shows the intense introspection within the album, closing out on a reflective note for listeners. 

(((((ultraSOUND))))) brings The Neighbourhood back into the forefront, reminding listeners why they were so successful. The album brings evolution to the band and shows how the members have aged. Once twenty-something year olds are now in their thirties and exploring feelings of loss and aging. The album also serves as an ode to the fans who have listened to this band for over a decade. (((((ultraSOUND)))) leaves listeners waiting for the next chapter in The Neighbourhood’s journey.