The 1975 “A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships”
Rating: 8/10
English band The 1975, known for the hits, “Chocolate” and “Love Me” released their third studio album, “A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships” on November 30, 2018. The sprawling fifteen-song album details frontman Matty Healy’s journey of beating addiction and grapples with issues of today all in a near-perfect blend of humor and frankness that only The 1975 can pull off.
Indie-rock anthem, “Give Yourself A Try,” deals with the idea that even if the world is often a bad, dark place, one still needs to get out there and truly live. “TOOTIMETOOTIMETOOTIME” is a major dance-pop song worthy of any club or party (solo dance parties included). Meant to be shouted at the top of one’s lungs, “Love It If We Made It,” is fueled by Matty's anger about certain aspects of society. The lyrics blatantly mock things that are said and thought today in a catchy way, ala classic The 1975 style.
One of my favorite tracks off the album is, “Sincerity Is Scary.” Jazzy trumpets and piano—along with a talented choir group—back-up Matty as he wrestles with the question, “Why can’t we be friends when we are lovers?” The head-bopping beat makes it irresistible to dance and sing along to it. My other favorite track, “It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You),” is a groovy pop rocker that radio will undoubtedly snatch up. Though it may sound like Matty is singing about a girl he loves, he’s actually reminiscing about his time in the thick of his love/hate relationship with drugs. (Matty has said in several interviews that he has been more than a year clean of any vices harder than marijuana and is overall feeling good.) Despite the somewhat double meaning, “It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You)” is beautiful. The catchy guitar riffs tug on the heartstrings as well as the lyrics.
The 1975 has never fit into one specific genre and never will. “A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships” showcases this by ingeniously blending genres from glittery pop-rock all the way to R&B to create a fantastic album that’s as fresh as a breath of cool November air.
--Mackenzie Slusser