The Neighbourhood – Hard To Imagine The Neighbourhood Ever Changing

Review

Whisking us away on a genre-hopping journey, The Neighbourhood's album "Hard to Imagine the Neighbourhood Ever Changing" blooms like a night-blooming jasmine, releasing its fragrance slowly, captivatingly. Released on that brisk spring day of March 9, 2018, this album serves as a musical scrapbook, piecing together tracks from their innovative "playlist" approach. Throughout 2017 and 2018, they teased us with EPs and singles, only to weave them into this rich tapestry of sound. It’s a seamless montage that captures both nostalgia and novelty, coalescing into a fluid narrative of sound that's as polished as dew on morning leaves, especially when played on the old faithful—vinyl at 45 RPM.

Dive into the album, and you'll be greeted by familiar tunes like "Scary Love" and "Nervous," peppered with fresh gems that expand the sonic horizons of the band. Their collaboration sizzle with the likes of Denzel Curry and Nipsey Hussle, adding layers of R&B, hip-hop, and a slice of electronica, enhancing the diversity of this album. Critics, with their pens dipped in cautious optimism, have given nods to the band's genre-melding prowess, reflecting a respectable score of 62 on Metacritic. The critical acclaim echoes through the alleys of alternative rock, applauding their audacity to blend and bend genres. And with the album finding homes in hearts worldwide, garnering multiple gold and platinum certifications, it’s clear that The Neighbourhood has painted their brush strokes widely, pulling listeners into their ever-changing but ever-engaging world. - Lorelei