Reflections

"Reflections" by The Neighbourhood is a poignant exploration of a failing relationship and the painful self-realization that accompanies it. The song delves into themes of one-sided love, longing, and introspection. The narrator grapples with the emotional or physical distance of his partner, questioning their absence and the possibility of their return. The central meaning revolves around the idea of seeing oneself in the other person to a detrimental degree. The lyric "I see my reflection in your eyes" is the song's core concept; it signifies a moment where the narrator realizes his pursuit of the relationship is more about fulfilling his own needs and confronting his weaknesses than it is about a shared, mutual love. He recognizes that his partner has become a mirror, reflecting his own desperation and insecurity back at him. The phrase "we were too close to the stars" suggests the relationship felt impossibly perfect, almost destined to fail, akin to the Greek myth of Icarus flying too close to the sun. This intense connection leads to an equally hard fall. The line "I'd rather lose somebody than use somebody" reveals a moment of moral clarity, where the narrator understands it would be wrong to continue the relationship purely for his own benefit, even if losing the person is painful. Ultimately, the song is a melancholic and bittersweet acknowledgment of a love that has dissolved, leading to a difficult but necessary period of self-reflection.

The narrator begins by questioning the whereabouts of a significant other who has been absent, asking when, or if, they are coming back. He admits to feeling sad and that things haven't been the same since their departure. He reflects on his own efforts in the relationship, feeling as though he put himself out there, but his partner never reciprocated with the same level of desire or effort; for them, it felt like a chore.

The chorus delves into a powerful metaphor, suggesting their relationship was intensely beautiful but perhaps doomed from the start, like being “too close to the stars.” It was a connection unlike any he had ever known, and he fell deeply. A significant ethical dilemma is presented: he would rather lose this person than “use” them, implying a fear that his love might be one-sided or that he might be staying with them for his own selfish need for security rather than for genuine mutual affection. He speculates that this painful situation might be a “blessing in disguise.” The core of his realization is captured in the line, “I see my reflection in your eyes,” indicating that when he looks at his partner, he no longer sees them but a reflection of his own needs, desperation, and weaknesses. This moment of self-awareness is tied to the idea that he “sold his soul” for this person, giving everything he had.

The song continues this theme of introspection, acknowledging his partner's fatigue with the relationship. The narrator is caught in an internal conflict, questioning what he did wrong for himself, acknowledging that his suffering stems from his dependency. He sees himself so completely in his partner that he has lost sight of them as an individual. The song ends without a clear resolution, lingering in this state of painful self-awareness and longing. The repeated questions about their return and the acknowledgment of his own mirrored insecurities create a cycle of unresolved emotional turmoil, highlighting the struggle between holding on for his own sake and the ethical need to let go.

"Reflections" was released in 2018 as part of The Neighbourhood's third, self-titled studio album, "The Neighbourhood". It was officially released on March 9, 2018, via Columbia Records. The song was also included on the larger compilation album "Hard To Imagine The Neighbourhood Ever Changing". The track was written by the band members: Jesse Rutherford, Zachary Abels, Jeremiah Freedman, Michael Margott, and Brandon Fried, along with collaborators Lars Stalfors and Evan Bogart. Lars Stalfors also served as the producer for the track, in addition to contributing drums, programming, and synthesizer. The recording and production team included Dave Cerminara as the recording engineer, Jeff Ellis as the mixing engineer, and Joe LaPorta as the mastering engineer. The creation of this album followed a period of prolific output, including two EPs, "Hard" and "To Imagine," which were partially consolidated into the final album, indicating a period of intense creativity and evolution for the band. The album as a whole explores themes of love, self-realization, and the struggles faced by the band members, with lead singer Jesse Rutherford's lyricism often being deeply personal and honest.

The rhythmic and rhyming structure of "Reflections" contributes significantly to its melancholic and flowing feel.

• Rhythm: The song is set in a 4/4 time signature with a tempo of approximately 114 beats per minute. This moderate tempo, combined with a steady, R&B-influenced drum machine pattern and a prominent, syncopated bassline, creates a laid-back yet persistent groove. The vocal rhythm often has a conversational, almost rap-like cadence, especially in the verses, which contrasts with the more sustained melodic lines of the chorus. This interplay between the lyrical and musical rhythm adds to the song's dynamic texture.
• Rhyme Scheme: The song doesn't follow a rigid, traditional rhyme scheme, leaning more towards a free verse structure with intermittent rhymes that feel natural rather than forced. In the first verse, there is an ABCB pattern with "back" and "sad." The pre-chorus uses a couplet with "get" and "did" and near rhymes with "bit" and "give." The chorus uses near rhymes and assonance to connect lines, such as the long 'i' sound in "disguise" and "eyes." This looser approach to rhyme enhances the song's introspective and modern feel, making the lyrics sound more like authentic thoughts than a structured poem.

"Reflections" showcases The Neighbourhood's signature blend of musical and literary styles.

• Musical Style: The song is built on a foundation of alternative R&B and indie pop, characterized by a mellow, atmospheric production. It features a prominent, groovy bassline, electronic drum beats, and shimmering synthesizer pads that create a haunting and introspective soundscape. The tempo is a moderate 114 BPM, providing a relaxed yet persistent pulse. The overall sound is clean and polished, with R&B-influenced elements that align with the band's evolving style.
• Vocal Delivery: Jesse Rutherford's vocal performance is central to the song's emotional weight. His delivery is melancholic and fluid, shifting between a melodic, almost conversational rap in the verses and a more soaring, emotive tone in the chorus. This dynamic delivery enhances the lyrical themes of confusion and longing.
• Literary Techniques: The lyrics employ direct, questioning language ("Where have you been? Do you know when you're coming back?") which creates a sense of a one-sided conversation, emphasizing the narrator's loneliness. The use of rhetorical questions and confessional statements ("I'd rather lose somebody than use somebody") gives the song a deeply personal and introspective quality. The narrative is one of emotional turmoil leading to a somber epiphany.

"Reflections" is considered one of The Neighbourhood's notable and popular tracks, contributing to their sustained relevance in the alternative/indie scene. Released on their 2018 self-titled album and the expanded "Hard to Imagine The Neighbourhood Ever Changing" compilation, the song exemplifies the band's shift towards a more R&B and pop-inflected sound while retaining their characteristic melancholic and atmospheric style. While it may not have reached the massive chart success of their breakout hit "Sweater Weather," "Reflections" has garnered significant popularity on streaming platforms like Spotify and has become a fan favorite, often highlighted in discussions about the band's best work post-"I Love You." Its themes of introspection, flawed relationships, and self-discovery resonate deeply with the band's core audience. The song's moody, aesthetic quality has also made it popular on social media platforms like TikTok, where snippets are used to soundtrack videos exploring themes of love, sadness, and personal insight. Within the band's discography, "Reflections" represents a maturation of their sound and lyrical depth, solidifying their reputation for creating emotionally complex and sonically cohesive music.

"Reflections" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that deepen its emotional impact.

• Reflection in the Eyes: The central metaphor is seeing one's "reflection in your eyes." This symbolizes a loss of the other person's individuality in the narrator's mind. He no longer sees his partner but rather a mirror of his own insecurities, desperation, and need for validation. It’s a moment of profound, albeit painful, self-awareness.
• "Too Close to the Stars": This phrase serves as a powerful metaphor for a love that was euphoric and seemingly perfect, but ultimately unattainable and dangerous. It is often interpreted as an allusion to the myth of Icarus, who flew too close to the sun on wax wings and fell. This suggests the relationship's intensity was also the cause of its downfall—they flew too high and the fall was inevitable and devastating.
• "Sold my soul for you": This is a hyperbole indicating the immense sacrifice the narrator made for the relationship. It implies he gave up parts of himself, his values, or his well-being in a desperate attempt to make things work, only to be left empty.
• Light and Darkness: The lyrics contrast the past brightness of the relationship ("You and I were bright, shootin' through the sky") with the current darkness of separation and sadness. This imagery highlights the stark difference between the idealized past and the painful present.

Several recurring phrases and motifs anchor the song's themes and structure.

• "Where have you been? Do you know if/when you're coming back?": This question is repeated, opening the song and appearing again after the first chorus. Its recurrence emphasizes the narrator's central state of longing, uncertainty, and fixation on the absent partner. It establishes the narrative of a one-sided conversation filled with unresolved questions.
• "We were too close to the stars": This is a key line in the chorus and serves as the primary metaphor for the relationship's doomed intensity. Its repetition drills home the idea that their connection was both beautiful and unsustainable.
• "I'd rather lose somebody than use somebody": Repeated in the chorus, this phrase is the moral and emotional thesis of the song. It highlights the narrator's internal conflict and his ultimate decision to prioritize ethical integrity over his own emotional needs.
• "I see my reflection in your eyes": This is the most significant recurring motif and the song's title concept. It appears in the chorus and its meaning deepens with repetition. It signifies the narrator's gradual and painful self-realization that the relationship has become a mirror for his own flaws and dependencies.