The Neighbourhood, an alternative rock band initiated in 2011, has officially returned, and as a fan, I couldn’t be more excited. Known for their moody aesthetic and famous hits like “Sweater Weather” and “Daddy Issues,” the band still consists of their vocalist Jesse Rutherford, guitarists Jeremy Freedman and Zach Abels, drummer Brandon Fried and the bassist Mikey Margott. When the band announced they were taking a break in early 2022, it felt like the end of an era. No one knew if they would ever come back. That’s why their return in Aug. 2025 felt like such a big deal. Their comeback became official on Nov. 14, 2025, with the release of their new album, “(((((ultraSOUND)))).” The album features 15 songs and runs for about an hour. In my opinion, this album feels like a perfect mix of their older style and new edge. Several tracks even stood out to me as some of their best work. 

The opening song is “Hula Girl” and is personally one of my favorites. The lyrics are about chasing after someone who is “unreal” or beats expectations. As you chase them, you crash, “going out the window,” and “upside down and inside out.” This song is very catchy and reminds me of their signature style, and is a perfect opener. 

My two favorites, “OMG” and “Daisy Chain,” are the best on the album. The beat, mood, and nostalgia given by “OMG” is amazing. It reminds me of many of their older songs from “The Neighbourhood.” This song is about devotion to someone and how you would do things for someone, by saying “I did it ‘cause you told me to.” Jesse’s tone really captures his loyalty to this person. This song is the type that hits harder the more you listen to it. 

“Daisy Chain” is one of the best highlights of this album. It’s very intense and the music captures the feeling of accepting the downfall of your future “goin’ down slow.” It gives off a very nostalgic vibe like some of their older songs. A good representation of having a crush is “Lovebomb.” It is about the feeling of confessing love too soon and feeling fearful of being a “love-bomber,” while wanting the other person to say the “few magic words” back. “Private” has a low-key and catchy vibe. The lyrics talk about needing privacy in a relationship in a world that expects you to constantly share everything. It captures the pressure of wanting to stay “private” to avoid problems. “Shh, keepin’ it private” is repeated, as if telling someone you won’t talk about your relationship. I would say this song is a little repetitive but is still worth listening to. 

A song that I’m not a huge fan of would be “Lil Ol Me.” It doesn’t really grab my attention and I feel like it’s a song without much emotion in it. This song is about the desire for love and connection while struggling with self-worth and insecurity. The lyrics express a sense of hopelessness, like “a broken soldier.” The phrase symbolizes a final, complete failure in a struggle, as it is the last phrase in the song. 

Another favorite is “Holy Ghost.” The lyrics deal with feeling lost and trying to understand yourself. I love the beat and how peaceful Jesse’s voice sounds in this, reminding me of a holy ghost. It uses the lyrics “‘cause I know what it’s like to feel alone” as a way to compare to a ghost. 

The music at the beginning of “Tides” is my favorite part. The drums along with the guitar sound flow well together. This song explores a toxic, love-hate relationship. The lyrics focus on the ups and downs of a relationship, like tides, by using the lyrics, “we set a fire inside the waves.” 

“Mama Drama” is the type of song I have to be in the mood to listen to. It is mellow and gives off a dreamy vibe. The lyrics highlight the care and difficulty of fixing someone else’s pain by asking “What’s keeping you up?” and saying “I wish I could take away the pain,” as well as, “Your love to me is sacred, no, nothing can replace it.” Nothing can change his love for them. 

One of the first things that stood out to me was the creativity behind all the track titles, each one adding to the album’s vibe. I also really enjoyed how the band experiments with different genres throughout the project. Every song has a very distinctive beginning from each other making you realize how talented they are.