Bursting with a brand new color scheme, jibes at the popular culture, media, crazy dance moves, eye shadow and leather pants, The 1975 have worked immensely hard on their second album"
I Like It When You Sleep For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It" and it reflects truly, as the album peaked the #1 position on Billboards.
Here's a track by track analysis of their album:
Staying true to their roots, the opening track to the album, "
I Like It When You Sleep..." is "
The 1975" (which also features on their previous self titled debut album.)however, with a twist of angelic voices that complements Matty's voice. The crescendo which has an abruptly sharp ending, is simply heavenly. It makes you feel like you've been floating on the starry milky way when all of a sudden you're swallowed in by the black hole.
The next track on the album is "
Love Me", the first song to be released with an impressive music video featuring Miley Cyrus, Charlie XCX, Harry Styles and all the other pop cals, albeit their presence felt only through cardboard cutouts. The peppy pop with the satirical lyrics is absolutely brilliant.
"
Ugh" - This electro pop piece will set you grooving. The upbeat funk will make you want to snap your fingers and do the wobble. Such an 80's danceable song.
"
A Change Of Heart" is a lyrically genius song as it has references to their old songs (Robbers -"
You used to have a face straight out of a magazine,
Now you just look like anyone" and The City- "
I feel as though I was deceived, I never found love in the city.) and my personal favorite author Jack Kerouac. (
I'll quote On The Road like a twat and wind my way outta the city.) The hazy jazz vibe adds another dimension to it, which is very appealing.
Next up on the album is "
She's American" is based on a cross cultural references. The guitar riff is very catchy.
"If I Believe You" is addressed to God, questioning his existence and presence. "Antichrist" from their Facedown EP is based on similar lines. The soothing saxophone coupled with Matty's sedate vocals, put's you in a dreamy reflective state of contemplation.
As ironical as it may sound, Matty who is an atheist, makes use of gospel choir as backing vocals.
In response to the lines "
If I believe you, will that make you stop?"
- Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:29
Please Be Naked
This instrumental track begins with a hazy, reverb followed by soft mellifluous piano
It creates this scenario in your head when at dusk, you stand in front of the ocean, gazing at the distant horizon as the hues of sunset unite with the still waters.
The soft sound of the waves crashing on the shore, as the stars appear- twinkling and scintillating their light.
Lostmyhead
Filled with shoegazing and nuegazing sounds, this 5 minute track is honey for your ears.
I would consider this song as a prelude to the next track which it titled "
The Ballad Of Me And My Brain." The lyrics are a predisposition to his addiction, whose consequences we discover in the next track.
Blatantly honest lyrics about his psyche, I reckon "
The Ballad Of Me And My Brain"
narrates the aftermath of Matty's addiction. Numbing his emotions with substances, he can no longer recognize himself, and thus asks people around him whether they've found his brain, his sense, his identity.
"
Somebody Else" is about a past lover who seems to have moved on, while the person finds it hard to digest that fact. It's the intimate relation (
You're intertwining your soul with somebody else) between the past lover and that somebody else, that is bothering the narrator.
One of my personal favorites, "
Loving Someone" is that track that is completely avant-garde with respect to their previous tracks and their previous albums. It has Matty Healy rapping, catching you totally off guard, as you wouldn't expect that piece of art coming. The lyrics mock the popular culture, media and government who sell everything to the public, but humanity.
The lyrics to next track, "
I Like It When You Sleep For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It" is simply "Before you go (please don't go), turn the big light off", which is on loop while the background is filled with euphonious, dream like sound, which is apt for it's title. This track put's you in a state of soothing slumber, just like a lullaby.
How I love the video of "The Sound", straight outta the box. ridiculing the comments passed by the critics, in a paradoxical manner, it's mint.
Yet another dream pop song, "This Must Be My Dream" revolves around an infatuation over a girl, that turns out to be only a vapid illusion.
Another personal favorite is "Paris", which revolves around a wrecked person. Glamorizing the use of drugs (She said I've been romanticizing heroine), infidelity (I got two left feet and I'm starting to cheat) and lust (Hyperpoliticized sexual trysts), this song is an epitome of most celebrities' lives.
This song literally brought tears down my eyes. Titled "
Nana", an ode to his grandma Annie who passed away, it captures the pain and denial Matty faces when lost his nan. In an
interview he explains the tattoo "Annie, True Love" which is right in the middle of his chest. Absolutely love this song.
The last track, titled "She Lays Down" is based on Matty's mother Denise Welch, who struggled with depression and addiction, yet tried her best to love her son with all her heart. It's beautiful how the album is a roller coaster ride filled with funk, ambient pop, synth sounds and ends on a simple yet powerful piece with just an acoustic guitar and Matty's voice.
Grand Affection,
Nikita.
