Preparing for the return of the 1975
For crying out loud, settle down!
Image Courtesy: Jordan Curtis Hughes
The time has come: one of the world’s most obnoxious and pretentious bands is about to make their triumphant return to music.
If it wasn’t already obvious - I’m talking about the 1975.
And yes, they’re also one of my favorite bands of all time.
After describing their latest 2020 project, Notes On A Conditional Form, as being the “end to an era” that included their first four albums, many fans thought the band was done or taking a very extensive break. Their management even tweeted about the band taking a step back and potentially working on side projects for the next few years.
However, on June 1, 2022, the unexpected occurred. The English pop-rock band began re-theming their social media, beginning with a post captioned,
“Your new album. Your new era. Your old friends. The 1975”.
I first got into the 1975’s music as a freshman in high school when their second album was released (still my favorite album of theirs to this day). Now, six years later, I am riddled with excitement and nostalgia waiting for their next collective piece of work. Being Funny in a Foreign Language, the 1975’s upcoming album, releases Oct. 14, 2022.
No matter if you’re one of the many, many fans who have been supporting the 1975 much longer than I or someone who may just be discovering them today - here are some things to keep in mind as we prepare for this new era together:
For starters, remember your roots.
If you're an older the 1975 fan, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The 2013 pastel grunge, black-and-white aesthetic, angst-ridden, tumblr-obsessive days of our youth. The 1975’s first two albums were basically the soundtrack to my high school experience, meaning I haven’t revisited some of their work in years. Coming back to these tracks now as a 20-year-old college student reassures me that even as my tastes and interests have changed over the years - I will always find joy in the somewhat-incoherent vocal stylings of Matty Healy.
If you’re just now getting into their music, some of my personal favorites from their first two albums include You, Girls, She’s American, and If I Believe You - but honestly this short list was very difficult to narrow down. (Just listen to both albums in full, I promise you won’t regret it)
Next, reacquaint yourself with their newer sound - but don’t get too attached..
Especially in later years, the 1975 has been known for experimenting with a variety of genres, sounds, energies, and instrumentals in their music. That’s how you end up with “Roadkill”, a folksy, almost country-esque song, and “People”, a screaming battle of rage and confusion on one album coexisting. Yet the 1975 always finds a way to keep a consistent, cohesive drive in all of their storytelling - no matter how different each song may sound from the next.
Some fans are disappointed with these changes. I’ll be the first to admit, I heavily prefer the cohesive sound on their first two albums as compared to their more recent work. HOWEVER, I was pleasantly surprised and excited by the new singles dropped for the upcoming album. I personally believe “Happiness” is the love child between “The Sound” and “If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)”, and who can ask for more than that?
The 1975’s debut album is absolutely their most iconic, but it shouldn’t be surprising that they don’t sound the exact same with each new release. One of the most important things for artists is to challenge their art to adapt and change alongside themselves. Their growth and experimentation with their music is just the sign of passion and creative liberty that needs to be taken to sustain such a legendary reputation in the alternative music scene.
Oct. 14 is quickly approaching and I cannot wait to regress to my 14-year-old self and celebrate this new release. One of the greatest parts about artists changing up their sound is the way that you can look back at yourself changing alongside them through the years. I’ve become a completely different person from the girl I was in high school, in no specific good or bad fashion, but it’s heartwarming to see a part of my younger self return in this anticipation.
Who knows what this new album will continue to sound like? What vocal and visual aesthetic will it take on? All I know is that I’m excited to see where this next chapter takes the 1975 and to be reminded of why their music has helped define my adolescence thus far.
It’s not living (if it’s not with the 1975)!
Strike Out,
Writer: Gabby Macogay
Copy Editor: Reanna Haase
Content Editor: Melissa Donovan
Orlando
Gabby Macogay is a content writer for Strike Magazine Orlando. A true Pisces in every sense of the way, she loves dancing at concerts, showing people pictures of her dog and watching Mamma Mia. You can reach her at gabbymacogay@gmail.com and @gabby.mac on Instagram.