ALBUM REVIEW: AJR // Neotheater

Recommended Tracks:  Next Up Forever, Don’t Throw Out My Legos, Dear Winter
Artists You May Like:  lovelytheband, American Authors, twenty one pilots

Who was it that said that this whole “growing up” thing was easy?  It definitely wasn’t Adam, Jack, or Ryan Met, otherwise known as AJR.  The brothers have a lot to say in their newest album, Neotheater, from the perils of moving out to the wonders of being born.  Growing up isn’t easy, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be fun.

For those who love the old Disney animated movies, such as Cinderella or Snow White, you are sure to love the beginning track, “Next Up Forever.”  The harmonies, the timbre, and the melody are reminiscent of the opening and closing scenes to the films, where the old-timey music is playing over the credits.  Just as we get used to this air of mystery and whimsy, the track morphs into a modern-time tune with pompous beats.  It is almost a show-stopper, if not for the fact that the show has only just begun.

If babies could describe their thoughts and feelings on the day that they were born, what do you think they would say?  Would they be excited for what life has to offer?  Well, on the second track, “Birthday Party,” Jack Met believes that their outlook would be optimistic.  They would assume that Instagram is fun because “it’s best to show the best of everyone.”  They would also think that it’s easy to stay away from drugs and that they’ll never outgrow their friends.  While the song is quirky and playful, it manages to be condescending because we know the reality of these situations.

One of my favorite tracks on this album is the fourth track, “Don’t Throw Out My Legos.”  There comes a time when we find ourselves in a position to move out of our parents’ home and into a space of our own.  We enter adulthood and say goodbye to our childhood, even if we aren’t quite ready to let go.  I can relate to a lot of the feelings and ideas that are expressed in this track, as could anyone else in their 20s.  It can be hard to accept the fact that we are adults now and need to act as such.  Hence, why nobody should throw out our favorite toys after we move out.  Like Jack says, “I wanna move out, I don’t wanna move on.”

Up until this point, we have heard some bittersweet songs on this album.  However, these were all just the opening act for the sixth track, “Turning Out Pt. ii.”  Break out the tissues.  This piano ballad doesn’t have any of the quirky musical elements featured in most AJR songs; no silly motifs or unusual sound effects.  All we hear is Ryan and a keyboard and some very devastating lyrics referencing a failed relationship.  He hits us with lyrics such as, “I think I probably wasn’t in love with you / I think I probably loved the idea of you” and “this is gonna break your heart,” which makes us ache for both parties.  Love can really suck sometimes.

The next four tracks after “Turning Out Pt. ii” definitely help us move on from what we just heard.  They are all classic AJR tracks that explore unique concepts and incorporate those signature AJR sounds.  You can’t help but feel good when you hear them, which is probably why they were placed right after that upsetting break-up ballad.

For fans of acoustic songs, and sentimentality, the eleventh track is your jam.  The concept of the song is a father singing to his future child, Winter.  He touches on everything, from hoping Winter makes friends in school to hoping that he can take a shot with Winter on his or her 21^st birthday.  All that is missing in this picture, though, is Winter’s mom.  She has not been found at this point, but she is out there somewhere and she needs to be cool with having a child named Winter.

The album closes with “Finale (Can’t Wait To See What You Do Next),” which sounds very similar to the opening track.  While the opening track focused on prolonging your efforts, though, this track focuses on being overworked.  Jack discusses how you can work yourself to death, but then your audience still wants more from you.  Do you keep going?  Do you try to meet their demands?  It looks like we will have to wait for the next AJR album to find out.

You can listen to Neotheater on sites like Apple Music and Spotify.

Catch AJR on their world tour here.

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