EP Review: Neighbourhood Youth Self-Titled EP

After bursting onto the alt-rock scene last year with breakthrough singles Feel Our Cold and For Nothing, Neighbourhood Youth are now set to win over the nation with their self-titled sophomore EP. Sonically sitting comfortably between the instrumental patience of Gang Of Youths and the new-wave energy and vocal delivery of City Calm Down, the Melbourne quartet have delivered six tracks of beautifully constructed emotive-rock that’ll have you tapping your toes as you reach for the third second bottle of wine.

EP opener For Nothing immediately gets the body bouncing with some upbeat rhythms and super smooth guitar work. Frontman John Philip’s howling baritone is irresistible as he slowly builds up to the surprisingly catchy melody behind “Count on me/don’t you know it’s obscene” and subsequent “woah-ohs”. The song’s smashing chorus is Aussie alt-rock at its best, while Liam Jenkins’ dreamy guitar work fills in the spacings in Philip’s vocals perfectly.

“Philip also drops some of his melancholic tone to come across intimidating and ready to throw a punch as armour protecting his introspective self-pity party.”

Second track Atlantic is Neighbourhood Youth’s strongest track to date and has to be a shoe-in for this year’s Hottest 100. Philip’s vocal performance is the standout feature of the track. His steady and emotive delivery will draw you in while the warm melody and his slight rasp provide solace as they carry you through the lyrical narrative inspired by the life cycle of the Atlantic salmon, who ultimately meet their demise after laying their eggs so that their offspring can feed and survive.

The superb use of dynamics means Atlantic constantly shifts in intensity while being held together by energetic rhythms and solid drumming by Jesse Dimond. The fantastic phaser-drenched solo from Jenkins is the icing on this alt-rock cake, helping breakup up the emotionally charged journey of the song, removing the listener from the melancholic melody and lyrics just long enough before diving back into the final chorus.

Be Somebody is a rollicking modern new-wave track that could easily cleave The Smiths or Duran Duran in twain. It’s short, fast, and packs plenty of punch thanks to the assault of drum rolls from Dimond and crispy overdriven guitar tones. Philip also drops some of his melancholic tone to come across intimidating and ready to throw a punch as armour protecting his introspective self-pity party.

Neighbourhood Youth ease the throttle back a bit in Feel Our Cold, which sounds the perfect mix of the angsty vibes of Be Somebody and the climax-building songwriting of Atlantic. Once again the emotive intensity of Philip’s Jack Bourke-eqsue (City Calm Down) vocals make you want to scream his “woah-ohs” while slamming back your sixth fourth glass of red, while Jenkins’ jangly guitar work is once again absorbing and compliments the song’s vocal melodies perfectly.

“…the Melbourne 4-piece have stuck to their epic alt-rock sound and released a collection of six tracks that flow seamlessly together and also stand strongly on their own.”

Sell the Kids is a chunky alt-rock number which nicely balances melancholic tones with driving rock rhythms, which by now is clearly Neighbourhood Youth’s signature sound. This song is destined to get crowds swaying, plus the song’s ethereal guitar-led bridge will be worth a ticket price just by itself. Lyrically the song touches of growing up in a broken home and trying not to repeat a parent’s mistakes, “It’s not my choice/I’m speaking with my father’s voice”.

EP closer Real Estate is a slow burner spearheaded by Philip’s soaring melancholic vocals, again something will be amazing when you catch Neighbourhood Youth live. While it’s not the strongest track on the EP it’s an appropriate closer, with each member given some short time in the limelight including bassist Sam Nathan who’s finally given some freedom in the last knockings of the EP.

We knew Neighbourhood Youth’s sophomore EP would be ambitious and bold, just from hearing their singles over the past two years. Thankfully the Melbourne 4-piece have stuck to their epic alt-rock sound and released a collection of six tracks that flow seamlessly together and also stand strongly on their own. Hopefully Sony Music will pick these guys up just like they did with Gang Of Youths and help Neighbourhood Youth reach the millions of ears and the massive crowds their music deserves.

The Pretty Littles Live Dates
supported by Neighbourhood Youth

FRI 28 OCT
Karova Lounge, Ballarat
SAT 29 OCT
Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
THURS 3 NOV
Rad Bar, Wollongong
SAT 5 NOV
Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
FRI 11 NOV
Rocket Bar, Adelaide
SAT 12 NOV
The Loft, Warrnambool

More Info HERE