The Neighbourhood/Health/Field Medic

The Neighbourhood has always been different, but the band kicked it up a notch on its latest self-titled full-length. The L.A. boys threw out the expectations for what an alternative record is supposed to be and instead defined themselves with a little bit of everything that goes into making the genre a residence for anything different. “Softcore,” features production that revolves around a pounding dance mix but avoids falling into the trap of a basic club song. “Revenge” and “Stuck with Me,” are the perfect cryptic, slowed-down indie moment. On “Sadderdaze,” the album’s centerpiece, the band proves that it can pull off stripped down acoustics rather than synth-filled dark and mysterious sounds. “Sadderdaze” is the sort of song you could play on repeat for an hour; its melodic production is untouched by the rest of the record. Each song has note-worthy lyrics, but “Sadderdaze” carries a more genuine sentiment than the rest. (Weber)