I think my favorite thing in the world is to listen to bangers. Bangers are songs that will get you off your feet, move your hands in various directions, and most importantly, get you HYPED. It is almost impossible not to get up and make a fool of yourself while a banger is playing. The Neighbourhood released their second studio album, Wiped Out!, and, oh boy, it is full of bangers. Melodic poetry encompasses your mind as you take this smooth breezy journey with these artists, sung elegantly by the lead singer, Jesse Rutherford. The members of The Neighbourhood are individually talented storytellers who are not afraid to share their true feelings with the world, and could not give a damn whether you care or not.

The album begins with A Moment of Silence. Wait, what? A moment of silence for what? Stay tuned because I have a theory. My favorite thing about Rutherford is that he is not afraid to be himself. No one can shut this man up, and honestly, why would you want to? His sweet and direct melodies bounce with every strum and beat. Rutherford is a sweet soul, and wants to be the best person he can be to his significant other. If he feels like Prey due to relationship issues, he is going to tell you. If he does not want to get feelings for a girl who has let him down in the past, he promises he will not be her Cry Baby. If he is Single and wants the permission of a man to let his baby be his girl but does not get an answer, he will not stop till the end. Each lyric is blended with passion and empathy.

Daddy Issues might be one of the deepest songs I have ever heard this band create. I would suggest you wear headphones or blast your speakers while this is playing, because when the beat drops, your eyes will pop. This is a sad but caring song that confronts the father-figure issues that Jesse and his girlfriend have faced in the past, and reveals how they have impacted the two of them. Wiped Out! is a trek, a long and bumpy trek. The beat is fast, and I‰’m dancing. Then, the beat is slow, and suddenly I feel like I am in water, floating along the blue, Pacific ocean, eyes closed and not even thinking about my Investment Analysis exam that is coming up. And then, we‰’re back at a fast beat, and Rutherford repeats, “I‰’m back and forth, I think I‰’m going crazy.‰” The constant changes in beats are reflective of Rutherford‰’s stress. He is being swung in numerous directions by people, and is trying to gain control of his life. Greetings from California starts with waves, and obviously ends with waves. Why is The Neighbourhood obsessed with the Golden State‰’s beaches? I believe it is because the beach represents security. The beach is a way to survive the evils and lies that hide below the ocean. The beach is an escape from evil that lurks in the world and tries to ruin love. And let‰’s not forget the first hit to come from this album: R.I.P. 2 My Youth. These are not the same boys who created Sweater Weather. These are men who have witnessed fame and fortune. These are gentlemen that have noticed that the world is not always a nice place. This is the song that has changed The Neighbourhoodfor good. My ears are drumming as Rutherford conveys to us that the band has lost their innocence and have transitioned from optimism to realism. They do not believe in bad luck, hence the line, “I‰’m using white lighters to see what‰’s in front of me.‰Û

Remember how I mentioned that I had a theory about why this album started with A Moment of Silence? They ended the album with R.I.P. 2 My Youth for a reason. The moment of silence is a 30 second tribute to the band‰’s innocence. The Neighborhood have changed, and sometimes dreams change, but that is okay. I do not know if I am more impressed by the beautifully written lyrics or the artistic melodies that accompany them. The pound of each drum, the eloquent pluck of each string, and the passion expressed in each word still has my jaw dropped to the floor. An incredible album, and an incredible story told by five extraordinarily talented men that have come very far since their last album, I Love You. Each song from this album is a banger, and like I said, I love bangers.