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· Conor Welsch
Some albums feel like memories before they even end. Blue Sky Mentality is that kind of record. The debut from Good Neighbours blends newness and nostalgia in a way that makes every track sound instantly familiar. You know these songs the second you hear them, but they still manage to surprise you.
Across fourteen tracks, Blue Sky Mentality plays like a collection of moments frozen in sunlight. The band’s breakout single “Home”, first released in 2024, anchors the album. Its whistled melody and open-hearted warmth are the gravity that holds everything together.
The opener “Keep It Up” sets the tone with bright piano and steady optimism. “Ripple” carries the emotional pulse of reflection without ever slowing the record’s movement. Songs like “Suburbs” and “Wonderful Life” give space for thought, stretching the mood while keeping the energy alive. The closer, “The Buzz”, lands with the kind of lift that makes you want to flip the record back to the beginning.
This is a pop record with intention. Every sound feels placed, but never polished past feeling.
Oli Fox and Scott Verrill sing with a closeness that feels natural, like two friends finishing each other’s lines. Where “Home” caught attention for its simplicity, the rest of Blue Sky Mentality builds on that same sincerity and gives it depth. The harmonies are warm, the lyrics personal without turning vague, and the production knows when to get out of the way.
The record carries a sense of honesty that sets it apart. It feels made by people who still believe in melody, connection, and hope.
“Home” remains the emotional center. On vinyl, the opening whistle and first chorus fill the room like light through a window.
“Ripple” grows quieter toward the bridge, then blooms again. That lift would shine on wax.
“Suburbs” makes a perfect transition track, steady and anthemic, ideal for the start of side B.
“The Buzz” closes with pure joy, leaving you smiling as the needle lifts.
The limited blue and yellow split pressing with red splatter is the perfect visual for the music itself: bright, detailed, and full of life.
Blue Sky Mentality is the sound of optimism done right. It acknowledges the dark but chooses the light anyway. The songs are built to last, the writing feels confident, and the performances never lose their humanity. For a debut, it carries both polish and heart.
Good Neighbours are on the edge of something big. “Home” gave them a foothold, but Blue Sky Mentality proves they can build a world around that moment. Their songwriting bridges indie charm with mainstream reach, and their chemistry feels undeniable. If they continue to write this way, they will not just be a flash of viral success. They will be one of the next defining acts in modern pop.
This is a band built for festivals, late drives, and long careers.
Best Spins: “Home,” “Ripple,” “Suburbs”
For Fans Of: Vampire Weekend, The 1975, COIN, Bleachers
If You’re Into This, Try:
RKS - Rainbow Kitten Surprise
Blue Madonna - BØRNS
Pratts & Pain – Royal Otis
Saintmotelevision - Saint Motel
Love Signs - The Jungle Giants