1975 - Being Funny in a Foreign Language

by Nick Dent-Robinson

published: 8 / 11 / 2022

1975 - Being Funny in a Foreign Language

Label: PDPB Records
Format: CD

Confident and passionate return to form on fifth album from much acclaimed British group The 1975

Review

The 1975 were due a good album. The Wilmslow, Cheshire quartet are one of the UK's better bands – but their last album, ‘Notes’ was a little disappointing as it jumped back and forth between traditional rock, pop, electronics, reggae and gospel. ‘Being Funny In A Foreign Language’ is more focused and far better. This is the Brit-winning band's most confident and passionate record since 2018's ‘A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships’. The emphasis is on performance with fewer gimmicks - though with producer Jack Antonoff supplying polish and great expertise, this is not exactly a “back to basics” album. Antonoff is best known for his highly successful work with an array of famous and talented female performers including Taylor Swift and Lana Del Rey and it is good that the New Jersey producer/musician has opted to work with a group from the UK for a change. He certainly adds many deft touches – including a few sun-dappled hints at the work of his own band, Bleachers. As with The 1975's four previous albums, the first track on ‘Being Funny In A Foreign Language’ is eponymous. Singer Matt Healy, son of actors Denise Welch and Tim Healy, sings, “I'm sorry about my 20s/I was learning the ropes/I had a tendency of thinking about it after I spoke....” - though this is a remarkably upbeat number, given the mea culpa theme of the song. The confession is accompanied by glistening pianos and woodwind! - This track is almost like a jazzed-up mini-opera! This opener, however, sets the tone for a series of brisk, four-minute pop songs. The band claim to have been tongue in cheek when they named their next (2023) UK tour ‘The 1975 At Their Very Best’ - but they certainly do seem to be at the top of their game on tracks like the melodic ‘Oh Caroline’ and ‘Looking For Somebody (To Love)’. The second half of the album is more dominated by melancholy. ‘All I Need To Hear’ is an anguished soul ballad with singer Healy pleading for love and companionship against a background of bluesy piano and guitar. The lyrics are sharp throughout and vivid character sketches abound throughout the new record. ‘Wintering’ is a festive song telling of a likeable but dysfunctional family navigating the Christmas season. The combination of a sense of restlessness with a lacerating wit throughout this record is reminiscent of former Smiths singer Morrissey at his best. The eleven tracks of ‘Being Funny In A Foreign Language’ fly by in under 45 minutes. This is a lean, concise and consistently high quality album that reaffirms The 1975 are back to their impressive best!

Track Listing:-

1 The 1975
2 Happiness
3 Looking For Somebody (To Love)
4 Part Of The Band
5 Oh Caroline
6 I’m In Love With You
7 All I Need To Hear
8 Wintering
9 Human Too
10 About You
11 When We Are Together