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From Hiatus to Headline: The Neighborhood Returns With New Album (((((ultraSOUND)))))
- Hannah Linley
- 14 hours ago
- 3 min read
On August 29th, 2025, the official Instagram account of The Neighborhood posted a story indicating their return to music-making for the first time since going on an "indefinite" hiatus in November of 2021.
The news of their return was shortly followed by the release of their fifth studio album and first full-length work in nearly five years. Released on November 14th, 2025, (((((ultraSOUND))))) has lived up to its name and by no means disappointed. A mix of their classic sounds from previous albums, such as Wiped Out! (2015) and I Love You. (2013), combined with newer experimental electronic and synth sounds, making each song on this new release more interesting than the last one you hear. As read in the post above, this album brings a more mature, vulnerable, and intimate exploration of heartbreak and personal issues, along with coming to terms with family struggles, personal challenges, and overall life outside of the band during the hiatus.
(((((ultraSOUND))))) is a full studio album with 15 songs and a runtime of about 57 minutes and 4 seconds according to Spotify. Now I could talk about each song individually, however, I feel like that might get a little too lengthy and uninteresting, so instead, here are a few songs I wanted to specifically highlight.
Hula Girl
The title track starts off the album on a rather bright but melancholic note, with its catchy and swaying rhythm, but sadder lyrics such as
"Dashboard hula girl, honey
Come and treat me like a crash-test dummy
Going out the window."
pointing towards heartbreak and the well know saddness that The Neighborhood tends to often carry in their lyrics. This song feels like being transported to a warm, yet desolate, summer's evening.
OMG
Another song that continues the more upbeat start to this album, with some experimental syth bckground mixed together with The Neighborhood's usual guitar and drum focused intrumentals. One of the most upbeat songs on the album, its lyrics are again more melancholic.
"I did it cause you told me to
I did it for you
Oh, my eyes water at the thought of you
Oh-uh, I did it for you."
Possibly hinting at yet another lost lover and melancholic breakup filled with memories that are painful yet sweet to look back on.
Lovebomb
The most played song off the album, for good reason, Lovebomb follows the upbeat and heartfelt theme yet again, however, accompanied by more hopeful lyrics this time. This song is filled with a quiet and soft synth background that feels like a whisper of hope for love in the dark.
"I know it's crazy, I know that I'm a fool
I know it's way too soon to tell you, I love you."
Are just a few lyrics from this song describing a love that feels quick but perfectly clear and right.
Planet
Now for my favorite song off the album, with whispery lyrics that turn into a really upbeat track along drums and lots of experimental electronic and synth noises this song is very different from their previous sounds and I love how they've experimented with these new sounds in this album.
"I'ma say what I say and mean it
Not saying it more than twice
I ain't tryna be wrong or right
Gotta make a sacrifice."
This song is experimental and full of unapologetic lyrics saying how the person is putting down their foot and becoming detatched from a relationship where their boundaries have been crossed too many times.
Stupid Boy
The last song on this album is a great way to end things off. Starting off slow but firm, this bridge quickly transitions into a screaming juxtaposition of lyrics that could represent the madness of a proper mental breakdown.
"Joke's on you, stupid boy
I won't let you kill my joy."
Quickly turning back to the calm but firm lyrics, this song is a harsh but confident ending to this album full of heartbreak and navigating uncertainty in a relationship.
-DJ Blog written by Hannah Linley
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