December of 2012, Jesse Rutherford and Zach Abels created and released the song titled “Sweater Weather” which ultimately became a double-platinum hit single. Shortly after, LA band, The Neighbourhood released a music video for the song as well as their debut album I Love You. After so long of a wait, The Neighborhood continued to bring chill vibes with the release of their second album, Wiped Out! on October 30, 2015.

The band has always had a strong indie influence and represented the whole laid back California lifestyle. Wiped Out! has continued with this style while incorporating heavy baselines, spacey guitar tones, and delicate vocals. A surprising element of the album is experimentation into other genres. The title song for instance featured sounds reflecting a more R&B feel to it while also blending the styles of alternative rock and hip-hop. Most of the songs feature swelling instrumentals and are much more refined; however, lyricism has never been the band’s forte -example “I’d run away and hide with you / I love that you got daddy issues / And I do too” simply sounds strange rather than melodic.

The album starts with “A Moment of Silence,” a track that leaves listeners nothing but confused and checking if their headphones are plugged in. This concept of a silent opener sounds slightly ostentatious but fits perfectly with their gloomy and emotional aesthetic. The album continues with “Prey,” an upbeat, beach vibes type of tune, and the track “Cry Baby” sounds a little less heart-rending than the bands typical dark style.

The Neighbourhood’s style and sound has definitely altered since I Love You but still maintains the angst. All in all, Wiped Out! was worth the wait and is a great combination of different music genres and styles. The album certainly will keep both hip hop and indie fans content