Neon Trees Return With Chilling and Upbeat Album “I Can Feel You Forgetting Me”

Felipe Cisternas/Staff Writer

Alternative pop rock band Neon Trees return to the music scene after a six year hiatus with their new album “I Can Feel You Forgetting Me,” where they excel in their storytelling and composition of synth rock songs. 

The band brings a fierce rock and roll side to the new repertoire of songs in their fourth studio album, something they have previously excelled at with anthems like “Animal” and their 2012 hit, “Everybody Talks”. 

The album which was released July 24, touches on the concept of a struggling relationship, the pain of falling out of love, and a dependence on drugs and alcohol. 

With 10 tracks, the band shows growth in both their lyrical style and composition, as well as a more mature sound since they made their debut, a decade ago. 

On the opening track, “Nights,” lead vocalist Tyler Glenn sings in a nostalgic 80s pop hook, about his inability to get through nights without longing for his female interest, even though he realizes the toxicity behind it. 

In “Used to Like,” a raw rock song filled with dynamic pop rock sounds, Glenn continues to share his struggle to change for his significant other and how it leads to an indulgence in alcohol. 

“When the Night is Over” is where he again references an old relationship that he misses, especially in the midnight hour, and how he cannot fall asleep without thinking about the times shared with his significant other.

In the track, “New Best Friend” it closes a chapter in the male lead’s life, as it is a breakup anthem to a lover who has dissipated from his life, and slowly the singer metaphorically navigates to his mind and other inanimate objects he glares at through his day to find a new best friend.

The album’s dark mood and story of heartbreak, loss and moving on continues in “Mess Me Up.” The track, with pulsating eighties and rhythmic bass sounds, is about a love who has clearly scorned him, and is asking if she is going to do more damage to this man who has clearly had his heart ripped apart.       

Overall, this album encompasses the dawning of a new era for the rock band. The tracks all cohesively tell a narrative about a sad tale between two lovers, but the rock anthems combined with upbeat synth pop make this a well structured and defined album they can add to their catalog.

Rating: 10/10