The 1975 is an Alternative rock band from the UK and you’ve probably heard quite a few of their songs before, like “Chocolate” and “Robbers.” Their self-titled debut album “The 1975” came out in 2013 and after three years, they have finally released their sophomore album “I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it.”
Releasing an incredible sophomore album can be difficult for artists because they may want to take their musical sound in a new direction, but their newly established fan base may already be familiar with their original sound. I feared that The 1975’s next album would sound too similar to their first album, but my worries were all for nothing. “I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it“ features a range of songs with different sounds that showcase the band’s true talent, particularly vocalist and guitarist Matty Healy’s honest and brilliant lyrics that are drawn from the experiences and struggles within his personal life.
When you take a listen to the album, be sure to take the time to look up the lyrics of the songs in order to really understand all the different themes, experiences, and stories being told on this album.
The album does not stick to a specific style or theme and I really appreciate the diversity between the songs. For example, Healy focuses on the theme of religion in “Nana” and “If I Believe You,” which has a jazz sound and features a Gospel choir. On another note, the song “She’s American” revolves around the cultural differences between the UK and the United States and features lyrics like “If she says I’ve got to fix my teeth/Then she’s so American.” The familiar synth-pop sound found on “The 1975” can be heard in songs like “Somebody Else,” “Loving Someone,” “Love Me,” and “UGH!”
When it comes to favorite songs off of the album, mine include “Somebody Else,” “The Sound,” “She’s American,” and “Loving Someone.” Whether you decide to take on the album from start to finish all in one sitting or if you prefer skipping around to find your favorites, giving “I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it” a listen is definitely worth your time.
Image courtesy of Wikipedia