Caitlin Murphy
The 1975’s highly anticipated fifth studio album Being Funny in a Foreign Language combines earnest lyricism and a 1980’s sugar pop sound to bring listeners a reflective insight into frontrunner Matty Healy’s experiences with love, longing and being human.
The 1975
Formed in Cheshire in 2002, The 1975 (comprised of Matthew Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald) have been writing music and performing together since the tender age of thirteen.
Being Funny in a Foreign Language is their latest 11-track release, with the band working alongside producer Jack Antonoff to bring fans an album that encompasses the funky 80’s pop sound and ethereal themes of love and youth the band is known for.
“a more earnest exploration of human nature”
The 1975’s previous album Notes on a Conditional Form was described as the band’s most “woke album”, sprawling over 80 minutes of internet culture criticism and political commentary.
In an interview with Zane Lowe, frontrunner Matthew Healy pins Being Funny in a Foreign Language as a “more earnest exploration of human nature.”
The Album
Whilst the band’s tunes in 2018 such as Sincerity is Scary admits the difficulties of being honest with oneself, the tone of this new record is set with Healy putting down his usual cynical self-deprecating persona in I’m in Love with You.
The lyrics lack irony, a refreshing rarity for Healy, with the repetition of “I’m in love with you” becoming one of the catchiest choruses on the record.
Rolling ballad All I Need to Hear draws on similar themes, a wistful lullaby layering twinkling jazz keys with fuzzy electric guitar, as Healy earnestly asks his lover to “tell me you love me”.
“grapples with modern standards of perfection”
Human Too takes on an R&B feel, continuing Healy’s intimate tone as he grapples with modern standards of perfection, apologising for – but also rationalising with – his own flaws in a self-reflecting ballad that empathises with being human.
A highlight of the record is the light and floaty Part of the Band, a spirited folk-rock song that combines sunny acoustic guitar with orchestral strings, craftily laid beneath a lyrical stream of consciousness from the band’s lead singer.
The track is filled with tongue-in-cheek jokes and witty social commentary from Healy that allow it to cement itself as a lead single set to become a cult classic with fans.
Happiness presents a less experimental sound, combining John Waugh’s familiar groovy saxophone with a sonic concoction reminiscent of 80’s jazz that feels so intrinsically ‘The 1975’, it’s get-up-and-dance worthy.
In an interview with Apple Music, Healy reveals the track was recorded live, so there is “a lot of call-and-response [because we were] in the room jamming”.
“The record also recognises the darker sides of love”
The record also recognises the darker sides of love, with Looking for Somebody (To Love)’s bright guitar contrasting a darker lyrical subject matter, tackling gun violence through the protagonist of a rejected lover.
Track Oh Caroline’s groovy dance beat and sanguine tempo make the desperation of an all-consuming love that Healy is desperate to “get right this time” sound almost energising.
A Live Masterpiece
Healy languidly smokes a cigarette in a glittering performance of Oh Caroline for Vevo, which highlights Being Funny’s effervescent live prospects.
The band begin their next tour in the US this November, and with their classic neon sets and iconic rectangle overhead, the Being Funny in a Foreign Language tour is set to be unmissable for old and new fans alike.
Despite Healy admitting the album is not their “big magnum opus”, Being Funny in a Foreign Language is a refreshing insight into a more honest and intimate version of the band, and combines the relatable lyricism and 80’s instrumentals The 1975 are iconic for.
Listen to Being Funny in a Foreign Language on Spotify here.
Image courtesy of Sian Sandilands via Flickr. Image licence found here. No changes were made to this image.
