1975 – Being Funny In A Foreign Language
Syd Corpora February 12, 2024
The 1975
Being Funny In a Foreign Language
Syd Corpora
The 1975 released their fifth studio album, Being Funny In a Foreign Language, on October 14th 2022, making number one in Scotland, Ireland, and Australia and climbing to number seven on the U.S billboard charts. Beloved by fans of the band and critics alike, it is definitely one of their most well liked albums. While many are nostalgic for the bands earlier more in-your-face sound present in their earlier records, with incredible vocals from controversial front man Matty Healy and excellent production by drummer George Daniel and Jack Antinoff their latest album takes many of the bands greatest strengths, along with some new sounds and melds them into one fresh record.
“Part of the band” was the first single they released off of the record in 2022. It is a plucky upbeat tune where Matty Healy addresses his image– both of himself and the media’s. The music and lyrics contradict each other in an interesting way. The music is lighthearted where the lyrics are deceptively serious, with some slight sarcasm. The song nicely sets up the rest of the record.
“About you” is a soft and sensitive song that maintains a low and comforting lull throughout. A dreamy love song that has captured the hearts of millions becoming their most listened to song on spotify and bringing them back onto the charts, nearly a year after the record was initially released. “About you” gained popularity on Tik Tok throughout the past year with a sped up version of the song becoming a popular sound. The lyrics are tender and the song reaches a heartwarming crescendo with a response verse by a female singer. Overall, the song is definitely a legacy song for The 1975.
While this Album is an overall success, it doesn’t quite hit the mark for the best of their work for me. Listening to this album you can hear the influence of Jack Antinoff, who produces Taylor Swift and Lana Del Ray’s music as well, on their sound. It isn’t quite authentic. It’s still the same The 1975, but there is an air that this album was supposed to be trendy. Jack Antinoff has created tremendous success for the artists he works with, so it is no surprise to me that a song that he produced rocketed to the 1975’s most popular song.
Favorite song: “About you”
Overall Rating: 7.5/10
