1st of June, The 1975 may not be anything more than a date in time to the majority of those who read it, the only thing that might stand out to non-fans or casual listeners is the oddly specific formatting of the date. To the die-hard fans of the alternative pop/rock esque band, The 1975, it is an entirely different story.
The four piece band consists of eccentric, opinionated and somewhat feminine frontman Matty Healy, drummer George Daniel, guitarist Adam Hann and bassist Ross McDonald. The 1975 appeared in the public eye successfully around 2012, launching their debut self-titled album “The 1975” in September of 2014, and have been unstoppable since. Although the four have been making music together since their formative teen years, this album release was the first formal recognition the group had received. The release of the album was only the beginning of their road to success, being in their early 20’s at the time, it was probably the most intense point in their careers thus far.
Healy has always been open about his battle with drug addiction, alcohol, and other unhealthy coping mechanisms. Songs like “Chocolate,” “Sex,” and “Robbers” are lead tracks off of their debut album, also being prime examples that are paralleled with these themes. These themes of sex, drugs, religion and the glamour and destruction that come along with them didn’t stop with the release of the first album, if anything they intensified with their 2016 sophomore album release titled, “I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware Of It.” On this 17 track, one hour and 14 minute record, it takes you into a more mellow side from the group. Songs like “She Lays Down” depicting Healy’s mother’s battle with postnatal depression, and “If I Believe You” which dives into Healy’s ongoing struggle with religion. Each record the band releases is somewhat of a roller coaster ride in the sense that no two songs are alike, to get the full experience you would have to listen for yourself. The 1975’s entire discography thus far ranges from soft-tempo love songs, to songs that make you want to get up and dance, and others that make you want to break down and cry. There is a The 1975 song out there for everyone.
Photograph taken by Kylee Winlund
The 1975 does not make music for the weak willed. Navigating sex, drugs and religion is only the half of it. On their newest release that came out in November of 2018, “A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships,” Healy plunges headfirst into the world of politics with two loud, angry, left leaning political anthems. One of the two songs being listed is one that was released as a single before the album was even released. “Love It If We Made It” is a brash, straightforward, cry for help regarding today’s particular climate. Touching on topics from sexual assault, police brutality and cycles of racism, global warming, pollution, Donald Trump, and drug overdoses, the track is one that makes you stop and think, while provoking an intense feeling of anger. One particular line that has always stood out to me is “Rest in Peace Lil Peep, the poetry is in the streets,” referencing the tragic 2017 accidental overdose of rapper Lil Peep. Paired with the incredibly intense visuals of the music video, that is littered with chilling imagery of events that are inevitably leading towards the destruction of the world, the song is quite literally about loving it if we made it. The song itself and video both provide an amazingly strong message, being a must listen, and must watch if you haven’t yet.
Photograph taken by Kylee Winlund
Branching off into the second politically charged song off the newest album we have, “I Like America and America Likes Me.” This song in particular is similar in it’s themes to “Love It If We Made It”, but is more specific in the fact that it is focusing mainly on gun violence, especially the staggering amount of gun violence and school shootings in America. Healy uses his platform to plea the youth to speak up and use their voice. At a recent show of The 1975’s I attended, before performing this song Healy told the crowd that he does not go on tour without having a door stop he can kick under the door to jam it closed in case of an active shooter situation, and that if he for some reason doesn’t have it, he faces severe anxiety and fear over it. That comment tethered me back to reality, and the fear people are living in every day due to these seemingly worsening issues.
The band is currently on tour with this new album, and are working on their fourth studio album “Notes on a Conditional Form” set for release sometime around this fall. The 1975 is one of the most important artists of today’s current climate, using their platform to spread the messages everyone needs to hear, and encouraging the youth to speak up and use their voices, because if we don’t, who will?
Photograph taken by Kylee Winlund
If given the chance, I highly recommend seeing this band perform live. The group’s energy, stage presence and stage design is one that I have not yet seen be surpassed. I have personally seen this band 7 times between now and 2014. I have seen them evolve as people, performers and songwriters and they never disappoint. I am beyond excited to see what else they have in store for us, and hope this has swayed anyone who was on the fence, or who hasn’t heard of them now to take a moment, and give the 1975 a listen, because you won’t be disappointed.
Modernity Vs. Music with Kylee 