A Dive Into Neck Deep: 7 Pivotal Tracks From The Pop Punk Legends

Since 2012, Neck Deep has created an everlasting influence upon the pop-punk scene and beyond, creating an identity that is not merely unmissable, but one that revolutionized the scene and emerging bands for years to come. Within their discography, the band has fluctuated through varying sounds as a form of storytelling, from the grittiest of raw punk, to refined explorations of the emotional psyche. As their new self-titled album remains fresh, now is a great time to get to know the band, and if you weren't already a fan, discover all Neck Deep has to offer! With much sacrifice, and many hairs pulled, I have attempted to put together seven essential tracks for your Neck Deep listening (a list that has already changed as I am writing this). Take a listen to these hits, or let us know some of your favourites!

‘Kali Ma’

Personally, ‘Kali Ma’ remains Neck Deep’s most essential track. For as long as I can remember, the track has lingered within not just my top Neck Deep songs, but as one of my favourite tracks of all time. Situated in the masterclass of music that is the album, Life’s Not Out To Get You, Neck Deep churns through states of emotional degradation, loss of love, humiliation, and the cutting of ties through an analogical retelling. Contrasting to ‘She’s A God’, ‘Kali Ma’ instead uses its namesake, a Hindu deity of destruction and morally transcendental divine powers to hone into these very feelings. If this wasn't enough, the song also builds its foundations off Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom. There is perhaps nothing more memorable than the moment this song played at my last Neck Deep show. As the lights simmered to a soft purple and the whirs of the guitar began, every patron rose their hand simulating the same sacrificial offering, screams of “Indy!” filling the room. It is always special when moments of pop culture and media can find a home in one another. Regardless, ‘Kali Ma’ also reflects Neck Deep musically- Ben’s fluctuating and beautifully pleading vocals, a solid riff that transports you through the song, and many twists and turns that keep the track consistently exciting. And can you name a better ending to a song? https://youtu.be/wElVp9HzCt8?si=c8-VRdMk2NtP2nFI

'Growing Pains'

The early Neck Deep projects are vibrant explorations of youth and auditory representations of adolescence, fleeting innocence, and the repercussions of growing and changing, from major to small. ‘Growing Pains’ is the culmination of this era of Neck Deep, combining swirling guitars and an infectious chorus to drill in the notion of change and expectation. True to the pop-punk nature of the band, the track is raw but remains energetic and fun. As the lyrics also proclaim, the song reminds us that the weight of the world is not on our shoulders, despite what this period of flux feels like. Songs by misunderstood and struggling youth, for misunderstood and struggling youth will always be the most inspiring, connecting, and hard-hitting. In a case like this, both the song, and the band themselves, have grown up with us and become a representation of our changing selves too. https://youtu.be/AbOEGnDksKQ?si=vnGaiDyZDRD_qwie

'December'

It’s the song we all knew had to be here…‘December’ reigns as one of Neck Deep’s most streamed songs, alongside also being one of their most iconic and prolific. Despite what some would call the memeification of the track, Neck Deep has become one of those bands associated with a month, just like Green Day. Looking past the unserious, this association is such a special thing- to have a track associated with a moment in time, a season of feeling, and a unified expression of so many people at once. It truly is special when this time rolls around. But any day of the week, ‘December’ is a gorgeous song. One of the things Neck Deep excels at is their storytelling, particularly that embedded with a sense of yearning, a lack of agency, and a complete submission to feeling. ‘December’ is perhaps the pinnacle of this. It was also so good that they had to do it again with Mark Hoppus! Haven’t we all had a good cry to ‘December’? https://youtu.be/8NnQs3EtoqU?si=wSIuwPGljTgaR2Kt

'In Bloom'

The Peace and The Panic, front to back, is a stellar album. Housing some of the band’s most profound work yet! A little track titled ‘In Bloom’ finds itself slotted into some of the band’s most alluring and connective work yet. The track explores a discussion of stagnancy with an inability to change, as well as the desire to transform, grow, and mend, both personally and with those you love. The band has been no strangers to natural imagery as representations of their feelings (‘Can't Kick Up The Roots’), and ‘In Bloom’ lets their expressive and layered storytelling thoroughly shine through it. The track also presents one of the most melancholic and inadvertently gut-wrenching choruses of their discography. With slow drums rolling to a dire plea from Barlow, the combination of these vocals and soft but guiding instrumentals shapes the whole track. So much so, that I fear I flooded the Sydney Roundhouse upon hearing it live recently. With a desire for self-improvement that strikes universally yet individually, this track sits with you for quite some time after every listen. https://youtu.be/RPzf_4dcL28?si=BTU94IHmLmAzLaUv

'Serpents'

My bias toward Life’s Not Out To Get You may be beginning to show, but it is so hard to cultivate a list so short with a discography full of such offerings. Yet, ‘Serpents’, cannot be ignored. Musically, the track tackles a pivotal, powerful, and poignant display of those loveable pop-punk features; a charming riff, alluring melodies, and chunky drums. To add, the track slithers through moments of complete chaos, to stripped moments of admission and solitary thoughts. The undertone of ‘Serpents’ remains haunting for its entirety, and creates this perfect storm of danger, lurking, and darkness that equips the song with all it needs to be persuasive and memorable. https://youtu.be/ReXRXxbeZ_I?si=RIr5-LB48MUwmUMn

'Pushing Daisies'

For me, I found All Distortions Are Intentional to be a severely underrated album. With poise and skill, it explored a new side to the band and expressed their sound in a refined, reflective, and revitalized way. To its core, it is also an album centered around storytelling and music as a vessel of communication, not only between the audience and the artist, but evidently, as a transformative method for the band themselves. Many tracks stand out, particularly ‘Pushing Daisies’. The track closes the album with a retrospective take on the thematic undertones at hand, and admits that after all the worrying and all the stress, our fate is sealed and the desire to let thoughts linger about the negatives in life are inconsequential. Although the notions in the track are relatively pessimistic and existential, the soft guitar tone and nonchalant vocals offer it like a warm and guiding hand instead. In a world of fret, Neck Deep offers a “what can you do?” moment, and it's a breath of fresh air. https://youtu.be/UVtxbfUDNkU?si=uG6TDJefAoMOYouF

'Go Outside!'

This year, Neck Deep has reinvented themselves, but in turn, also returned to the start of their journey through a refreshing and independent self-titled journey. The album is an exploration of creative prowess unrestricted, and the band from an older, wiser, but just as fun perspective. ‘Go Outisde!’ is quirky, dazzling through soft chimes and rings that lure you into its cute soundscape. On top of this all, the track offers a personally vulnerable moment, elucidating moments of self-isolation, losing one’s self, and the scramble to reclaim solace in one’s mind, finding comfort in who you are. The bridge is reminiscent of the earlier days of the band, and in the song itself, aids in creating a marriage between the loved and old, to the new and exciting elements of the band. https://youtu.be/YuqxxdPdTOo?si=Q02B5_f-gFzQoX9qWhat's missing? Let us know on our socials.Words by Georgia Haskins@ghaskins2002

Revisit our chat with Ben and Seb Barlow in Wall Of Sound TV right here

Neck Deep's self-titled is out now. Get your copy here

Neck Deep – Neck Deep tracklisting

1. DumbStruck Dumbfuck2. Sort Yourself Out3. This Is All My Fault4. We Need More Bricks5. Heartbreak Of The Century6. Go Outside!7. Take Me With You8. They May Not Mean To (But They Do)9. It Won’t Be Like This Forever10. Moody Weirdo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TExXnNP-8Ro&t=2257s