With the exception of film scores and few classical pieces, I rarely enjoy a song that has little to no lyrics. The Neighbourhood can now be added to that list with “Unfair,” where the vocals are sparse but the melody is so powerful that it fills the void usually left by vocal-less songs. This goes to show how talented these guys are, because it was lead singer Jesse Rutherford who helped to make 2013’s I Love You unforgettable.
“Unfair” is an interesting piece of music, appearing simultaneously rough and sophisticated. This is attributed to guitarists Jeremy Freedman and Zach Abels, bassist Mikey Margott, and drummer Bryan Sammis. The edgy, atmospheric feel that each musician has contributed to “Unfair” is one of the reasons The Neighbourhood is slowly broadening the scope of rock-electronica blended music, as well as the California indie scene. There is a bit of an R&B feel to their music, and I’m not sure if it is the deep beats or the passion that echoes in their melodies — but whatever it is, it definitely adds a subtle depth to their sound which ties together the many styles encompassed in their music. “Unfair” is a track that will stay in 2014 from beginning to end.