The 1975 – Being Funny In A Foreign Language
“Being Funny In A Foreign Language” is the fifth album by the British band The 1975. The pop rock band behind writer and singer Matty Healy. And this time too he made a great contribution. “Being Funny In A Foreign Language” is a loving pop album that screams 1975 on all sides.
Music producers BJ Burton, including Bon Iver, and Jack Antonoff, responsible for multiple albums by Lana Del Rey and Taylor Swift, have been closely involved in the production of this album. Especially Antonoff and it can be heard. The 1975 has been more pop than rock for some time now. On this fifth studio album, the British confirm this once again with the help of the American pop producer.
Catchy songs is where The 1975 excels. So now. On “Happiness”, “Looking For Somebody (To Love)” and “I’m In Love With You” Matty Healy and co show the theme of this album: love. The cliche theme that’s been used way too often. Is “Being Funny In A Foreign Language” still innovative? No definitely not. But Healy and Antonoff know how to make a nice and strong album musically, with several songs that can last for years to come.
In addition to the infectious radio hits, The 1975 also touches the sensitive nerve. “Being Funny In A Foreign Language” starts strong, but ends stronger. It is well known that Healy can handle uptempo songs. But this time, the acoustic indie pop songs provide the magic of the album. “Human Too”, “About You” and “We Are Together” provide the highlights of this album. The sensitive chord is touched. At the same time, they are also the most experimental songs on the album. “Human Too” has a calm tempo that resembles jazz. “About You” is going in a completely different direction. After a strong intro, Matty Healy starts the vocals. But with a different, heavier voice than you are used to from him. Combine this with the vocals of Carly Holt, not coincidentally the wife of The 1975 guitarist Adam Hann, and the song is complete.
All in all, their fifth album didn’t quite provoke the guys from The 1975. The British comfort zone remains largely intact. It is therefore not a surprising album. Jack Antonoff’s pop productions prevail and Matty Healy’s lyrics remain strong as ever. Cliché love songs are not on it, yet it is an album that is dominated by this often enough used theme. The 1975 has found a nice way along here. It’s a shame that the album ends after 11 songs. The various strong songs, be it because they are catchy or different from usual, will be sung along by the audience during concerts and festivals. (8/10) (Dirty Hit)
