Pop Psychology
| Neon Trees
Pop Psychology
Pop Psychology is the third studio album by American rock band Neon Trees. The lead single, "Sleeping with a Friend", was released on January 11, 2014, and the album was released on April 22, 2014. The record is based on and is the cathartic product of lead singer, Tyler Glenn s therapy sessions. Glenn started seeing a therapist after canceling some tour dates in 2012 while the band promoted their second record, Picture Show, due to trying to find himself mentally and figure out who he was. At moments there s a cry for help and sadness...But I think it s a real fun pop record at the heart of it and something with a message too," he said of his band s third album. Also addressed in the album's lyricism from Glenn's therapy sessions are his sexuality and sex, in general. -Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
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Rolling Stone
Pop Psychology opens with the biggest, shiniest songs [Tyler Glenn has] come up with, each taking on a slippery aspect of post-modern romance.
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Newsday
For much of the album, there is deeper emotional subtext as well as candy-coated catchiness. Neon Trees also branch out into other retro areas, updating The Strokes in the jumpy "Text Me in the Morning" and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark in the lovely "Voices in the Halls."
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The Young Folks
Neon Trees has done a great thing with Pop Psychology. It’s more introspective and less frantic than their first two albums, but retains their slightly quirky lyrics and upbeat styles. Check this out if you’re a Neon Trees fan or are looking for some pop-rock with character.
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Glide Magazine
With an angst-laden and often humorous examination of love, courting, and sex in the digital age, Neon Trees’ third studio album Pop Psychology delivers a barrage of catchy hooks and emotional content.
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POP! Goes The Charts
Although Pop Psychology is full of fun sounds and playful lyrics, the biggest downside to it all is that unlike some of the experiences in love detailed on here, the album suffers from material which isn’t so remarkable outside of the first listen. Now, this isn’t to say that the quartet plays it safe. They do have a comfortable zone musically, but they go outside it and generally have no huge issues.
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Sputnik Music
Pop Psychology will be remembered as the moment the world realizes that success hasn’t ruined Neon Trees.
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Neon Tommy
"Pop Psychology" is more than just some dance-y tunes. It is an amusing perspective on the modern-day relationship and generally the emotions of today's youth, which is rightfully portrayed even in the album title.
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The Boston Globe
“All this emptiness would end, stop pretending,” he sings. Pop psychology indeed. “Unavoidable” offers a change of tone with drummer Elaine Bradley and Glenn coming together in harmony, but it’s yet another professionally done, radio-ready single. That’s not always good news.
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Pop'stache
It’s clear, after the release of their third LP, Pop Psychology, that the visionary insight Neon Trees had starting out is now entirely gone.
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Renowned For Sound
Pop Psychology is a good effort from Neon Trees. I feel that if the track listing had been changed up a little, the listener wouldn’t end up feeling as though this album was just the ‘same old same old’ from this eccentric band. Despite this, Pop Psychology offers up an album full of fun and catchy tunes that are bound to put a smile on your face.
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Buzznet
Blending 80’s pop with the sounds of today, Pop Psychology is a delightful modern twist to the band’s influences – and like their past albums, Habits and Picture Show, it gets better with every listen.
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Spectrum Pulse
I'm sorry, but this is a 6/10 from me, and only a recommendation if you're a fan of the band. The fact is that I've heard better pop rock released this year, and even though the Neon Trees have grown up, in the young man's game of pop music that's not always the way to go.
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AllMusic
Even if Neon Trees sometimes try a little too hard to be serious on Pop Psychology, it's some of their most heartfelt music and some of their finest.
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Berkeley B Side
Pop Psychology is just as contagious as the Neon Trees’s prior material, but the album’s poignant lyrics seem much more honest and personal, especially in the context of leading man Tyler Glenn’s recent decision to come out in Rolling Stone.
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Alternative Addiction
The new album from Neon Trees, Pop Psychology, is sonically brighter than the groups first two albums. Out of the ten songs on the record (give or take bonus songs), the majority of them are vibrant songs with a lot of energy. This Neon Trees record flirts with the upbeat side of the pop group's new wave influences.
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Alter The Press!
In Pop Psychology, Neon Trees’s third studio album, the band delivers some of its most mature and consistent music while showing off its mastery of the pop-rock genre.
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The Musical Hype
What Pop Psychology does have that makes it a successful album is plenty of energy and the utmost consistency. Maybe shock value isn’t part of Neon Trees’ arsenal, but they have plenty of other goods to offer.
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RUKUS Magazine
Pop Psychology, their third record, is a 40-minute Neapolitan shake filled with stadium-ready choruses, back beat bangers and Technicolor flare.
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Daily Bruin
“Pop Psychology” is yet another 40-minute long complaint about teenage problems, unrequited love and even more teenage problems. While songs like “Love In the 21st Century” and “Text Me In the Morning” are catchy, the overall quality of the lyrics can be summarized in one word: banal.
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MOVE Magazine
Neon Trees' new album Pop Psychology definitely brings a more polished, mature and upbeat vibe to their original pop-rock style.
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COTMA
Two years after the release of Picture Show, Neon Trees is back with an album that is perfect for the summer. Pop Psychology, Neon Trees’ third album, mixes elements from previous albums with an ’80s influence to create pop rock hits that you will want to blast all through the sunniest months.
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Press Play OK
Pop Psychology soon trades in the youthful recklessness of the last two albums for a journey of self-discovery and self -assurance; as the album goes on there’s no doubt that the lyrics were inspired by Tyler’s therapy sessions.
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PearShaped Magazine
Pop Psychology has a few tunes which are pleasing to the ear, but mostly the album possesses a dearth of creativity. By all means, take a listen. I, on the other hand, shall seek to get these annoying songs out of my head.
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Pathfinder
Despite the album’s catchiness and light 80s tunes, Neon Trees brought nothing new to the table. Pop Psychology will probably be a rather well-liked album by previous Neon Trees fans, but there is nothing unique that stands out in the music to draw in new listeners.
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The Spectrum
While the publicity from Glenn’s coming out and Bradley’s speaking out doesn’t hurt, “Pop Psychology” is a record that stands on its own. It’s easily Neon Trees’ best album to date. Nearly every song has a killer hook and Glenn’s lyrics seem especially poignant in light of his announcement.
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The Portfolio of Aimée Kwan
Pop Psychology is by no means a deep and introspective journey into Pop, nor Psychology, nor even the two put together, but what it is, is a pop record put together by a conscientious band, and not a label. I’d put my hands in the air for that.
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That Music Magazine
Pop Pyschology is completely uninspired and sloppily constructed. Contrary to track five’s title, I suggest you avoid this album at all costs.
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Premier Guitar
Pop Psychology (Island Records), the very first sounds—the transient rasp of an instrument cable, followed by the ringing open D and G strings—give a hint of both the importance and the subtlety of the guitar on the record.
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The Collegian
Pop Psychology’s only flaw: while 9 out of the album’s mere 10 songs are fantastic, the short album length leaves listeners hanging. But at least their ears will be in absolute heaven for a solid 36 minutes.
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Kurrent Music
Pop Psychology will remain a favorite album of mine for a long time to come, and for good reason. If their work remains this consistently on point, they have an even longer future ahead of them than I could have ever imagined.
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Melodic.net
We got once again extremely charming and luxurious pop really made for radio and other commercial contexts. The only thing I can complain about is that the second half is clearly weaker and does not have the direct tracks. But overall, Pop Psychology is a very nice pop experience.
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Washington Square News
“Pop Psychology” is flash-in-the-pan sort of pop music — it is an easily forgettable record. The lyrics are shallow and uninspiring, and ultimately the album is not rewarding.
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Belmont Vision
Neon Trees newest release, “Pop Psychology,” will satisfy current fans of Neon Trees, but will leave new listeners with a bland, overproduced, new wave record.
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Spencer Daily Reporter
I am sure that "Pop Psychology" will not hold [Neon Trees] back in any way. While it's no "Picture Show," "Sleeping with a Friend" is proof alone Neon Trees has not lost any of their musical power.
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TODAY Online
Pop Psychology is an excellent addition to Neon Trees’ list of good, consistent albums. It is not only a personal memoir of sorts for Tyler Glenn, but also has the added quality of being accessible and relatable to their targeted audience.
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Entertainment Weekly
Psychology [is] a 40-minute master class in the kind of pop that moves both the body and the brain.
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SXU Student Media
“Pop Psychology” is a montage of POP art, comic and simply an awesome vibrant sound. I see Neon Trees becoming greater and more recognized in the near future.
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Nouse
The easy listening element of Pop Psychology is a big bonus, which is why I would definitely recommend this album. Whether you’re revising, on a summer drive or just generally relaxing, Neon Trees’ upbeat indie pop has got you covered.
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The Hoya
Neon Trees continues with its trend of upbeat, alternative rock music in its newest album “Pop Psychology.”
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