At long last, Brooklyn power pop-rockers Strange Neighbors have released their alliterative sophomore album, People Pleasers Pleasing People.
Comprised of Aidan Strange (vocals), Dana Bennewitz (bass), Zach Schweikert (guitar), and Beau Valentine (drums), the band has cracked the code on how to craft earworm after earworm. Released via Mint 400 Records, the build-up to their infectious 10-track album started in 2024 with their single "Crush," which is in fact the opening track.
The catchy song opens with a jangly, not-so-serious tone that matches the starry-eyed ways people can act when they have a crush. Strange sings "I gotta look like I don't care," a statement that's challenged by nearly every following line. In the chorus, she sings "I just can't decide if I'm gonna see it through, / I've got a crush on you," the ultimate decision delayed with each repetition of "I've got a crush."
The fourth track, "You Got Love," recounts the pain of a toxic relationship -- which seems to be a common theme throughout -- refusing to shy away from the realities of the story. The constant movement of the bassline and drums keeps the track feeling bitter, with lyrics like "you're sorry now" and "love has never been enough" grounding the track in wounding honesty. The final chorus erupts into a chaotic yet cathartic repetition of "yeah, you got love," the pain of the experience channeled into the music.
The ever-timely track and January single, "Influencer," combines a bouncy up-tempo melody with a scathing commentary on social media influencers. Strange and guitarist Schweikert sing in glorious harmony that they're doing everything they can to "make you feel I hold the key to happiness right in my hand." The accompanying music video is shot with a vertical camera, mimicking the videos influencers make on their smartphones, elevating the humor and critique of the track to a multimedia experience.
Another standout track, "Wherever We Fall," explores a warmer, mellower sound than much of the album, a tone that fits hopeful but realistic lyrics. Reflecting on mistakes and hardships experienced throughout life, Strange repeats "wherever we fall, we fall," changing the final phrase to "we land" or "we stand," transforming the impacts of failure into a survivable experience.
"A theme that weaves itself throughout our music is along the lines of 'laugh now, cry later,' says Strange. "Lyrically and thematically, we tackle and touch upon some difficult subjects like wanting to numb yourself from the world and the pain that comes with it, guilt-stricken breakups, learning to relinquish control, and 'what does it mean when love is there but it isn't ever going to be enough?' We maneuver through the difficult subjects with groove, contagious beats, humor, satire, and sometimes a bit of shouting."
Having formed in Brooklyn in 2018, the unquestionable magnetism of this beloved indie act lies within the individual strengths each member brings to the table: 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 and personality to the songs.
The appeal of People Pleasers Pleasing People lies in the band's carefully crafted balance of humor and hooks, evident on the singles and the new tracks, each just as catchy as the last. And on May 7th, Strange Neighbors will look to maintain momentum for their album with the release of their music video for their single, "Hate Me Less."
Listen on Spotify
No comments:
Post a Comment