The new single by post-punk band Humour is about neighbours who haunt like ghosts (“There’s no truce to be had / I’m going to smoke them out of my house) and annoy like humans bent on violating all possible friendly social conventions (“when I’m cold / they turn off the heating”). Lead singer Andreas’ screaming voice cracks constantly during the verse, and the rest of the band takes the chorus, delivering the ghost tale in deadpan harmony. The lyrics are comedic, but take the words out and the song retains levity. A number of genres have been re-purposed for Broadway unexpectedly, sometimes elevated in that process, other times watered down. “Neighbours”—with its tidy structure and story form—seems to be packaged for that stage, but in a rare post-punk form. Sure, the verse is brash and seems meant to be sung from the gutter, but the vocals take on a larger-than-life, nearly cartoonish quality. The chorus recalls direct influences like Interpol, tight and a bit too buttoned-up. And the fading outro recalls the back half of Sister-era Sonic Youth tracks, but in an obligatory burst of reference rather than an artsy sprawl. “Neighbours” is a catchy tune about the haunting influence of those nearest to you, but if the song itself could shake-off the demons of genre, it would feel closer to its admirable aims: scarier, funnier, and, like its antagonist neighbors, more unconventional.

7/10

IFYL: Interpol, Sonic Youth

Humour 2025 Tour Dates

May
25
North Shields, UK
A Stone’s Throw

May
27
Edinburgh, UK
Sneaky Pete’s

May
28
Preston, UK
The Ferret

May
29
Camden, UK
Elephant’s Head

May
29
Paris, France
Supersonic Block Party

Jul
10
Cheltenham, UK
2000 Trees

Words by Michael Mannix

Order “Neighbours” by Humour HERE