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It’s not every day that an indie band pulls a platinum selling album. So when The 1975 did just that with their self-titled debut almost three years ago, everything changed forever. As all artists know, album number two is quite honestly the most daunting part of their career. So much rides on yourself or your band solidifying your legacy with a mind-bogglingly good album. So when Matt Healy openly came out and told the world that his band have gone down a different route to the band’s original sound, I was skeptical. After what seemed like an unnecessary amount of air time and a couple of teaser tracks, the entire world was itching to hear this album!
So when Matt Healy openly came out and told the world that his band have changed from their original sound, I was skeptical. After what seemed like an unnecessary amount of air time and a couple of teaser tracks, the entire world was itching to hear this album!
With a new sound comes a new image. We all remember The 1975 pioneering the all black white girl look back in 2013. Jelly shoes, skinny jeans and leather jackets were worn but almost everyone and all. Not to mention rolled up jeans and oversized denim jackets. Everybody slowly turned into a hipster thanks to the catchy riffs and beautiful lyrics. As rumours of the new album began, stunning pieces of photography slowly followed with a completely contrasting colour scheme to the band’s original persona. It’s vibrant and glossy/neon nostalgia gripped the interest of every fan alike.
When ‘Love me’, the band’s first teased track arrived on our doorstep, it was such a shock! The song is a polar opposite to the band’s original work; a statement if you will, to the idea that this isn’t the same 1975 from three years ago. These boys have become ARTISTS. No more pretentious white girl attitudes and general self-loathing with a hint of art-hoe. These guys mean business and we all bought into it.
After listening to all of the tracks and analyzing multiple interviews, I’ve pretty much come up with some crazy, tin hat wearing fan-theory about the album. It turns out that all of the songs are a reply to the first album, joining off each other with complex messages and a continuing story about Matty’s beautifully tragic life. It’s been no secret to the public that Matty himself has struggled a lot with fame, spiraling out of control with drug abuse and a heavy strain on his relationship.
Matty, in the rawest way possible, tells the heartache he has faced in the last three years with all of the complications he has had since the band went into the big leagues. His honesty is vocalised through his impeccable songwriting ability once more and accompanied by a Bowie-esque entourage of indie-pop riffs, fabulous beats and an all round gorgeous pop sound that the world has been craving for a very long time!
[…] displayed throughout are arguably similar to that of The 1975’s more funky tracks on their sophomore album (e.g. […]