Yup. I think the electronic (and pop) elements were pushed to a much better result on the last release. America, How to Draw for the weirdness. Sincerity, It’s Not Living for the pop
Being “intentional” doesn’t mean it succeeded in making me interested in the outcome. I’ve listened to a room looped on itself that was intentional and more interesting, musically and emotionally, than some of these (pieces of) songs. It can be intentional without me thinking it always works (or is maximized creative or weirdness).
I think it's worth pointing out that they have a lot more time to make a lot more records. It seems obvious, but a lot of the bands they get compared to have been active for way longer. Not every record they make is going to be a through and through pop record. That's why I like this. It's different.
I don't like it because it disliking half the tracks makes me not think of it as that good of an "album." Like it would never be something I'd just put on and let play all the way through in the same way I do with albums I truly love
On second listen now. The real poppy songs on here really standout once you've transitioned into them and subsequently they feel far more powerful.
I love that I feel like Matty is really excitedly showing me music he truly loves. That is what really helps it click
I’m not really sure it’s a connection more so I just feel like they really compliment one another. It could be a personal preference for me, but ABIIOR didn’t click with me fully right away and this one has, and giving them a proper listen together just worked for me. I also did this in the morning and I don’t think NOACF really works during the day for me. I did my first listen at like 2:00am last night and it definitely felt right. My second listen was this morning on the playlist I made with ABIIOR. I’m going to do another listen to both albums tonight. Honestly The 1975 has always been kind of a nighttime band for me. It could be my excitement in all honesty over the new music. I feel like this album will be one that people will come around to if they don’t immediately love it.
I feel like I'm coming down super hard on this tape, and I'm not. I'm disappointed that it did not live up to my own personal expectations/the 15 year lead up, but it is still good! It's cool to see a band this big with young people doing some weird shit. I'm excited to hear how my students react to some of the electronic tracks. M&YTS fucking rules and is one of my favorite tracks this year.
I think some of were going into this expecting something a bit too specific. The singles established pretty well that this was going to be difficult to pin down. This is their most abstract album yet, but we’re disappointed there’s no pop radio singles like The Sound? They’ve evolved past it. Matty sounded very bored with Too Shy on the Radio 1 premiere. Was one of the first tracks they wrote for the record and then went back to finish. People was one of the last, for perspective. And the new stuff is apparently even darker. (Also tbh there is a radio single on here... Too Shy is sitting right there.) That’s why the concept works so well. Can’t think of any other “playlists as albums” that go this hard. Definitely not from another pop rock group.
I remember hearing "Mine" for the first time and being filled with such warmth. Man, my first listen of that record was special
I’m just curious to see where the band goes from here. This seems like the band just sticking EVERYTHING ELSE they had to the wall
Every record so far has been a huge leap to the next. The 1975’s California summer type soundtrack of a self-titled debut was only 7 years ago. That’s impressive growth.
Quite a few pop artists literally call some of the things they release playlists. That’s relatively common these days. I Met You When I Was 18 (The Playlist) - Wikipedia Pop 2 (mixtape) - Wikipedia
What I meant was that they were a huge departure from each other. Not necessarily better, taste and style are subjective. Do you think this record isn’t largely different from ABIIOR? Like I see the connections, but this is nothing like that album. Are any of them are as mainstream as this band? And committed this fully to the concept? Asking seriously because I need to add more material to my library.
I cant wait to slowly unpack a lot of these lyrics over time. Seems to be more emotionally vulnerable than previous stuff/less use of sarcasm and irony to hide behind.
But The 1975 would still headline higher at a festival. You know what I’m saying? Notes may not be uncharted territory, but this record is doing something special for sure.