Become Good Friends with Neighbours' Debut EP Bubble
Neighbours’ debut EP Bubble is instant. Instantly soaring, intelligent and stuck in my head. Laced with a sense of urgency and licked full of perfect imperfections, Bubble, is one of the best punk debuts I have stumbled on in 2018.
Sydney is fucked. Continual venue closures, an increasingly damaging government presence and Alan Jones. From an outside perspective it’s a truly daunting landscape being painted for any cultural identity to thrive within. However, hidden under any of the broad brush strokes of bureaucracy bubbles the ever growing spill of a counter culture. Neighbours’ debut EP Bubble kicks and screams hard enough to remind you why the inner-west will always be the inner-best. Thriving with their back against the wall, Neighbours, raises a fist for Sydney on Bubble.
There’s an ever present sense of claustrophobia that runs throughout Bubble. All elements thrashing and stacking upon each other in an unlikely unison, staying ever busy and delivering a pressing energy. This energy brings the listener into the record with an impassioned and undeniable magnetism that beckons you to immerse yourself. Bubble never feels comfortable, but you don’t want it to. You want to thrash and soar every which way the release leads you and find yourself doing so without thought.
Lead single and title track BUBBLE is the perfect jumping off point for the EP. A spiraling, polished piece of inner city insecurity evoking imagery of drones and tall towers. It’s impossible to not be grabbed by the energy of BUBBLE. One that refuses to cease throughout the remainder of the release. Track two SOAP delivers one of the biggest ear-worms of the year its chorus, whilst final tracks MYNA and RIDDLE strip the bravado and expose a sensitivity to close out the release.
Front person Jorja Boon-Kriesel’s compelling, raw and powerful vocal delivery throughout Bubble is a highlight in every instance; be it a moment of flourish or vulnerability Boon-Kriesel holds you. Equally expressive and stupidly intelligent free running riffs from guitarist Hideki Amasaki also need a mention in the highlight reel and deserve pride of place in the band’s poolroom.
Bubble is a brilliant release from a truly exciting band that you’re going to find yourself coming back to again and again.
If you’re in Sydney be sure to catch the launch of Bubble:
Friday 12th Oct :'Bubble' EP launch at The Chippo Hotel with Baby Beef and Moody Beach (solo)
And be sure to follow along with all things Neighbours by clicking right here.
