Friendly Neighborhood Something or Other by IAN BRODSKY is a wonderful album, utilising a mix of indie rock and jazz tones to tell intricate, developed stories through bright, bold vocals and crisp instrumentals. The title track, Friendly Neighborhood Something or Other, is an excellent example of all these aspects coming together to form a cohesive whole that is a joy to listen to. The track, to me, felt like an exploration of imposter syndrome. Feeling proud of what you have accomplished but almost like you don’t deserve, or really even want, the pedestal others put you on. The vocals are upbeat and emotionally resonant, conveying a confidence which feels almost contradictory in a track that is about uncertainty but it really works.

The mix between the confident delivery with insecurity in the narrative captures the essence of the song through this interplay between the lyrics and delivery. Another track that stood out to me was Ghosts. Sporting a more melancholic tone and a traditional indie rock soundscape, the track feels like a slight departure from other songs on the project. The strumming is contrasted by these beautiful layers of strings. The roughness of the guitar contrasts the smooth, ethereal tone of the other melodic elements. The narrative explores a relationship that is no more, highlighting small differences and annoyances between him and his lost partner, like the dishes piling up in the sink, while still not being able to move on from them. The track has a train of thought lyrical style that feels authentic to how someone would actually feel in these situations. The project’s candid energy is one of the reasons why it comes across so strong. My personal favourite on the project is Next Round. It’s a fun and energetic foray about going on a date and finding someone that is not only fun and vibes with you but also shares deeper values with you. It explores one of those dates that just never ends, going deeper and deeper into the night as each place closes and you move onto the next. It then goes on to explore the rest of the relationship while connecting everyday struggles to the magic of this endless first date as a way to remember how lucky they are to have one another. It’s a beautiful story with excellent and simple delivery that allows the narrative to be the focal point from beginning to end. It’s awesome to see a project so thematically connected and consistent. It’s clear IAN BRODSKY had a vision with this project and he’s brought it to fruition beautifully with Friendly Neighborhood Something or Other.