The 1975

I thought I had better write this before the boys (Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald) become big enough for the rest of the blogosphere to be posting about them around the clock.

The 1975, you've heard of them, I know you have. Whether you know the name of the band or not doesn't matter, I am sure you have listened to ‘Sex’, ‘The City’ or their biggest track ‘Chocolate’ on the radio at one point or another in the past year. If you still don't know what I am talking about, I suggest you type The 1975 into YouTube and check them out. Personally, I feel it is safe to say that I have been a fan since they first released their debut EP Facedown back in August 2012. The City quickly became a favourite of mine, with Facedown, Antichrist and Woman all firmly in the second place spot when I formed my initial list of favourites. This was before they continued to release a further three EPs and their self-titled debut album, released on the 2^nd September 2013. For now my “favourites” list goes as follows (unordered because I can’t choose the top spot between them): ‘You’, ‘Sex,’ ‘The City’, ‘Girls’, Settle Down’, ‘Heart Out’, ‘M.O.N.E.Y.’, ‘So Far (It’s Alright)’, ‘Fallingforyou’, ‘She Way Out’ and ‘Me’.

 

Zane Lowe: The 1975 In Session & In The Studio

To compare the sounds of their songs to other artists is difficult as the boys have a wide range of influences from Otis Redding to Michael Jackson. As a result of this they are a unique sounding band, making them highly popular in a time where finding innovative musical sounds is relatively difficult these days as I beleive nearly everything has been experimented with by now musically. Their songs can be beautifully eerie song composed with a pretty trickling piano playing (Facedown) and haunting vocals from Matty, with synth style sounds echoing in the background. Whereas other songs have a strong drumbeat to it (The City) that makes me play air-drums along with George. 

 In session with Zane Lowe // Radio 1

I am in love with Healy's lyricism. They are an abyss of beautiful metaphors and imagery, whilst remaining relatable, much like how Turner's (Arctic Monkeys) songs are equally viewed as accessible. In their song 'The City' the opening line is poetic and relatable, "Don't call it a fight when you know it's a war", it makes me want to break into applause before the song finishes as it is a line that latches onto your brain throughout the entirety of the song and in the aftermath as well. My favourite aspect of The 1975’s songs is that there is a lot of layering with their sounds, in ‘The City’ you first hear the drums, then the more synthetic bass line combined with Matty’s vocals. Then the guitar comes in half way through the first verse and the song just builds up to the climatic chorus.

Photo: Ruth Kilpatrick

As many people who listen to the charts know, the boys’ debut album that they released on the 2^nd September this year, reached the number one spot in the UK charts. Paste magazine described the band as ‘equal parts ethereal and synth pop’, which I completely agree with! I think there is definitely a strong element of sublime ghostly characteristics in their music, which is especially clear on the tracks 'Undo' on their 'Sex' EP and ‘Fallingforyou’ from the 'IV' EP. In comparison, ‘Heads.Cars.Bending.' is a cleverly composed song with a synth sound throughout due to all of the layered elements. ‘Sex’, ‘Chocolate’, ‘The City’, ‘Girls’, and ‘Settle Down’ are amongst the more poppy songs that have been sponged up by the young teens of the UK (and the US). Needless to say they are a completely unique band with an individual style taken from the many influences of the boys.

Matty is definitely the more vocal one of the band and really wears his heart on his sleeve, as an avid fan I love this about him. However, the translucency of social media and displaying your personality in front of the world I can understand why he is more restricted about what he says on his twitter account. One of the most endearing features about Matty is how eloquent he speaks, articulating his words in a way that is magical... to my ears anyway.

So yes, as you can see I am a tremendous fan and each song is beautifully unique and wonderful to listen to. How could you not fall in love with each of them… the raw individual voice of Matty, the intense drumming from George, the catchy riffs from guitarist Adam or the rich baselines from Ross, they create the perfect alternative rock/synth pop band.

A band that has been around for ten years and describes themselves as a "band's band" has finally released their debut album and we are certainly expecting at least a second. I hope if you didn't know these boys before you are now inclined to listen to their music, as I personally find it highly listenable and like a chameleon in the way each song is unique in their sound and emotive language.