If you haven’t gone through a phase where The Neighbourhood is all you listen to for a month straight, it’ll happen eventually. In my eyes, The Neighbourhood’s music exists for two occasions: late-night drives and cold weather. Their songs feel like a warm hug or cup of tea. As we brace for the winter months, here are 4 songs by The Neighbourhood you should be listening to.

‍

4) Cherry Flavoured

Despite the band’s VERY American roots, they insist on spelling everything the British way. Autocorrect worked overtime while I wrote this article, and it was honestly so annoying. Like R.I.P. Queen Elizabeth and all, but can we just stick to the correct bloody spelling? This whole British thing is ridiculous innit? Anyway. “Cherry Flavoured” is a slow track. The instrumental makes it feel like a happy song, but lyrics like “I’ve been getting high, but I don’t ever stay up” make it feel sad. Maybe it’s both and that’s the point.

‍

‍

3) The Beach

This song gives me chills every time I hear it. It’s about catching feelings for a friend and being hurt in the process. It’s mellow but powerful, and you can feel the emotion in Jesse’s voice as he sings the hook. The track uses ‘the beach’ as a metaphor for safety and the resolution Jesse’s searching for with this friend, but he starts to realize that he may never find it. If this story doesn’t feel a little too relatable, you’re either heartless or lying.

‍

‍

2) U&I

Everybody I show this song to is like “woah how have I never heard this” and I’m like “I don’t know, maybe because nobody wanted to listen to an album called #000000 & #FFFFFF.” These Neighbourhood dudes realy need too take a spelling class. “U&I” is a dark take on the ‘I miss you’ concept. When talking about his ex-lover’s new man, lead-singer Jesse Ruthorford concludes; “I’ll have to blow his brains out”. With that kind of content, even those Crime Junkie-obsessed moms might like this one.

‍

‍

1.5) Sweater Weather

This song is too basic, but my list would lose all credibility without it. I do love it though. The track has over 1.7 billion streams on Spotify alone, and I’m responsible for at least half of them. At the end of the day, “Sweater Weather” is one of the most iconic tracks of the 2010’s, and there’s a Bath & Body Works scent named after it for all I care.

‍

‍

1) Single

Fall is hoodie and pumpkin spice latte season, but more importantly, it’s cuffing season. “Single” is one of the few songs by The Neighbourhood that’s actually positive. Sonically, it sounds sad, but at its core, it’s a sweet-boy song about wanting someone back. Lead-singer Jesse Ruthorford is asking someone for a second chance, even going so far as to apologize to her dad for what he’s done “I’m sorry Dave / never meant to hurt your baby girl”.

I think we should all take this as inspiration as we head into winter. I don’t recommend getting back with your ex, but if you’re headed into cuffing season with fewer romantic prospects than Tom Hanks’ character in Cast Away, maybe it’s something to consider. Ignore the fact that your relationship was toxic and all your friends and family hate them. Go ahead, give it another shot. And if it doesn’t work out, you can always apply to be a contestant on Love Island.

‍