I love you by the neighborhood

The first album of this resurgent band is almost exclusively known for the hit song “Sweater Weather.” Yet, in spite of its initial popularity and revival, it is far from the only song keeping this album afloat. Much of I Love You thrives not just on its lyrics, but on its sound quality. Jesse Rutherford’s voice blends perfectly with the instrumentals, creating a uniquely immersive sound less prevalent in the newer albums. It is truly an album of immersion, as the band has claimed, and each instrument combines into a singular raw sound. You are a captive audience as songs like “Female Robbery” and “Alleyways” pull you into a narrative you cannot stop following, and you are an active participant as songs like “Staying Up” place you directly into the lead singer’s late night struggles. The initial critic reviews of this album do it a great disservice. For any angst lovers wanting to dive into an album and sink into it, this may be a worthy addition to your playlists. A-