The Neighbourhood Watch’s story-driven blend of folk and indie rock clearly touched a nerve when they released their album Community Protected (2017). The album was a kind of anthology: a collection of songs about the dissolution of family, the philosophical angst of turning seventeen, and what it feels like to get a bit too high for your own good. Without any sort of label or industry support, the album racked up 10 million+ streams and became the main soundtrack for the indie film Midnight at the Paradise (2022). The DIY release laid the groundwork for the band’s future success.
They followed this release with the albums Goodbye Childhood (2019) and Lost in Bloom (2021). The records both honed in on the fear that often accompanies growing up—with songs about heartbreak, lost friendships, and the forced solitude of the COVID-19 pandemic. The albums received strong recognition, with features in the Toronto Star, blogTO, Exclaim!, and Indie88 contributing the albums’ 2 million + streams. More recently, the band’s song “20 Year Dream” was featured in a commercial for the international consulting company KPMG.
Now, the band is ready to release their fourth album: a meditation on family, illness, and loving what life gives you nonetheless.
