Through poignant lyricism and their signature hook, Strange Neighbors' is back at it with their newest single, "Without a Head."
The band uses the concept of life without a head -- or more so life without a worried mind -- to delve into whether shutting the world out would solve problems, or merely present new ones. Is ignorance truly bliss? Maybe in this tumultuous time we're living in.
Alongside the band's locked-in-as-always power pop-rock instrumentals, vocalist Aidan Strange sings, "I wouldn't have to think, or feel, or wonder, or cry," listing some potential upsides of essentially being lobotomized. The lyrics continue: "But without a head I think you know I think that I might die."
This theme continues throughout the track, but with the lungs and the ears filling in the verses. At the loss of their lungs, Strange sings that "Nothing on this earth could take my breath away," a clever turn of phrase made cleverer(?) by the following line: "Every love song that I write would have one less cliché." Each of these examples show that cutting oneself off from experiences and feelings only presents new problems, rather than truly solving the old ones.
The Brooklyn-based group, consisting of Strange (vocals), Beau Valentine (drums), Dana Bennewitz (bass), and Zach Schweikert (guitar), weave cohesive and compelling tracks both lyrically and musically, strengthened by their commitment to writing songs as a group.
Each member's individual styles and histories contribute to the band's nuanced and engaging musicianship, with Strange and Valentine bringing the theatricality of Musical Theatre, Bennewitz drawing from a background in jazz, and Schweikert's dedication to his 12-string guitar adding versatility to the songs.
Their upcoming sophomore album, People Pleasers Pleasing People, drops April 18th with an accompanying album release show at The Sultan Room in Brooklyn the night before. The band's previous singles, "Influencer," "Crush," and "Hate Me Less," not only herald the upcoming release, but more importantly demonstrate their continuous commitment to the indie rock scene as a band to maintain on your radar.
Thankfully, we can appreciate Strange Neighbors with our heads, lungs, and ears as they continue to craft compelling and memorable music.
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