The 1975 – Being Funny In A Foreign Language

Truly at their very best.

Review Score:

A

The Unprecedented Times –

June 22 / 2023

Being Funny In A Foreign Language may not be the 1975’s most ambitious or vast project, but it is by far their most consistent and concise. But that’s not to say this doesn’t expand the band’s musical palette. From the first single, “Part of the Band”, it was clear that Healy and the gang were hoping to turn back to a more grounded, organic approach. Matty Healy’s antics aside, of course.

The general, initial reaction was somewhat mixed when “Part Of The Band” dropped. Longtime fans were hoping for some of the band’s signature sound, deep layers of synths that build on each other. Or maybe something more upbeat, more pop-rock. Those fans would later get something closer to what they were hoping for, but I was just as intrigued by “Part Of The Band” as I was by the other singles. And I also happened to remember that the lead single from the band’s last project was “People”, a driving, powerful, angry punk rock track that wasn’t indicative of the album as a whole but rather seemed to speak to the band’s track record of riling people up with their lead singles. But also, I love “People”. 

When Being Funny In A Foreign Language did release in its entirety, I was pleased by what I saw: a 43 minute, 11 track album. The band pared down the tracklist after the sprawling Notes On A Conditional Form, which contained some of their best work, but few and far between with a lot of strange instrumental filler. Perhaps it was a reaction to the reception of Notes. Maybe it was due to the collaboration with Jack Antonoff. Either way, The 1975 approach their 5th studio album with a renewed sense of self.

The opening track, often compared to LCD Soundsystem’s “All My Friends”, begins with a sharp, driving piano. Matty Healy’s signature poetic ramblings join the mix. Between modern political observations and self reflection comes a favorite, key line from the album:

“I’m sorry if you’re living and you’re seventeen”.

It’s repeated over and over and the sentiment sticks. What a horrifying reality it must be to look out at the world, with all its pessimism and doom-saying, at that age. The song transitions smoothly into “Happiness”, a kind of willfully ignorant, dance your cares away type track. It’s instrumentally rich, with The 1975 doing what they do best. Despite having been released near the end of the year, “Happiness” became one of my most listened to songs of 2022. 

The initial run of songs is so incredibly strong, with “Looking For Somebody (To Love)” acting as a snap back to reality after the saxophone laden “Happiness”. Then “Part Of The Band” leads into “Oh Caroline” which leads into “I’m In Love With You”. Back to back to back homeruns. No filler. Just the band riding a euphoric high. Healy’s writing, always candid, always a little too-much-information, but always engaging, is just as prevalent here as it ever was. Just in a different way. Other albums dipped into highly conceptual topics, such as “The Man Who Married a Robot/Love Theme” off of A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships, these could sometimes water down an otherwise tight project. The 1975 stick to their writing strengths, which lie in the honest, the observant, and sometimes the sappy.

The latter half of the album is a slight tonal shift, as songs like “Wintering” and “When We Are Together” detail Healy’s relationships and the way he navigates them. I enjoyed the quirky, tongue in cheek tone and lyricism of “Wintering”. John sounds like my type of guy. The band walk a fine line when it comes to taking themselves too seriously, but they do it well. “About You” is a pleasing track for fans of the band’s earlier work. A verse goes to Carly Holt, wife of guitarist Adam Hann. Holt’s vocals add a unique, addicting quality to the song.

Every member of the band is at the top of their musical game on BFIAFL. The percussion, the guitar, the bass, all serve the tracks, sometimes taking the spotlight but only when most appropriate. I especially loved the smaller, more unique instrumental inclusions, like the repeated saxophone, or the strings (which are so consistently beautiful). While I really enjoyed some of the highlights from the band’s last record, I was left with a bitter taste from all the self indulgent, bloated filler. The 1975 do away with all of that here. I was unsure of how I felt about the group after NOACF, but “Part Of The Band” was enough proof in itself to prove that they still got it. Being Funny In A Foreign Language demonstrates what the band is capable of without losing the qualities that make The 1975 enduring and unique.

Review Score:

A

Gubb wrote this review. You can’t get mad at Gubb.