Neck Deep - Self-Titled and Self-Reliant
In an initial listen to the new self-titled album Neck Deep released by the renowned band of the same name, the project is surprising. The band has history in the world of contemporary pop-punk, and Neck Deep carries a reverence and recognition for their critically acclaimed success. However, success often comes as a double-edged sword. Expectations have been placed on front runner Ben Barlow and his brother and bass player Seb Barlow. Complemented by their guitarists Matt West and Sam Bowden, and last but not least, Matt Powles on drums, this band faces a conflict in expectation; how do we define ourselves? Fortunately, the hardcore group finds a solution by looking inward and writing music that is self-reflective, which creates a historical moment in this band’s discography.
Fundamentally, Neck Deep hones in on the intense musicality of punk-durable drums, radical guitars, and vocals that tug your heartstrings. “Sort Yourself Out” is a great example of how the music fits succinctly into the punk scene. A piece dedicated to internal improvement in the face of a dysfunctional relationship is exactly the energy the mosh pit needs. Everyone deserves to look at themselves in the mirror and consider what they must do to become a better person, to become better in the healthiest way possible. Everyone deserves to reach out for help as well, which is prevalent in “Go Outside!”, a song as liberating as it is headbanging, and music that makes the listener confident in what is best for them. Of course, this album fixates on internal conflicts, but when the struggles they discuss are more abstract, the band’s potential reaches a climax.
Photo courtesy of Nat Wood and Big Picture Media
The songs, “We Need More Bricks” and “It Won’t Be Like This Forever” tackle complex ideas that are out of one person’s control, such as fighting the system or going against the painful inevitability of farewells. Topics that are anti-establishment fit right into the rhetoric of punk, and the bombastic approach to saying goodbye. Both songs add a nuance to humane discussions that amplify the message independently and the authenticity ascribed to the project as a whole.
Neck Deep, the album, marks a pivotal point of the band’s career. The down-to-earth approach to their aesthetic defines this self-titled project and differentiates it from previous notable works. The themes of internal and external battles everyone faces are not just relatable, but uplifting, as the band continues to shape their art form and the pop-punk scene.
Be sure to check out Neck Deep on their U.S. run, tickets available at neckdeepuk.com