The Neighbourhood : Chip Chrome & The Mono Tones Review

The Neighbourhood is an American alt-rock band that is now releasing their fourth studio album called Chip Chrome & The Mono Tones. Produced by Danny Parra and The Neighbourhood, the eleven tracks represent their first studio album in two years. Inspired by the iconic David Bowie album Ziggy Stardust, the band’s frontman Jesse Rutherford takes on the persona of the supposed character, Chip Chrome. Rutherford explains, “Before we started this album, I asked myself what my opinion was about our music, our band, and our fans, and I realized I didn’t really know—and that scared the shit out of me,” frontman Jesse Rutherford told Apple Music about the album. “I got off the internet for about nine months and stopped ingesting everybody else’s opinion. Bowie was Ziggy, and Ziggy was a character very addicted to cocaine—and I would say that Chip is addicted to the internet, a product of addiction from social media for so many years.”

“Pretty Boy” has a droning beat and esoteric sounds that surround Rutherford’s soft singing. His voice can achieve multiple colors and intensities in the song. The bass is the driving force in the instruments, with many sounds floating in and out. The chorus has phrases that are lifted by punctuating backing vocals. The last verse has a call and response between Rutherford and the backing vocals. Altogether this song has many colors and moods, but all are musical and aurally stimulating.

“Lost in Translation” is a seventies funk and disco-influenced selection. With its driving bass and swirling synths, Rutherford’s voice is also given a seventies production sound. The song is fun and upbeat. The middle section relaxes for a moment before the drive and energy return. The Mono Tones create a magical sound, capturing the Bowie essence without sounding cheesy.

Chip Chrome & The Mono Tones is a diverse collection of eleven tunes and another beautiful project for The Neighbourhood. Chip Chrome as a persona is a little ambiguous throughout the project. If the album’s supposed concept is ignored, multiple tracks are well-written and memorable.

The Neighbourhood : Website