Being Funny in a Foreign Language
Consistent Matter, New Perspective
Caroline Kirkpatrick / USD Radio
The 1975, an alternative-indie rock band from across the pond, released their fifth studio album on Oct. 14. Their album, titled Being Funny in a Foreign Language, consists of 11 songs. The overall sound of the album is consistent with their alt-indie rock image, sprinkling in roots of R&B, as well as added in horn parts and synthesizers that give it a jazzy feel. The band weaves in many themes, some even resurfacing from previous works of theirs, like insincerity in society, love and sexuality, contemporary issues, mental turmoil throughout teen and early adult life, and identity in a postmodern world.
The 1975 have mastered the art of juxtaposition. On the one hand, their lyrics are meaningful and often discuss deep topics that hit home for a lot of listeners. On the other hand, they use upbeat and dance-able instrumentals and accompaniment, pairing in perfect contrast with the lyrics. In an interview with Apple Music, the band describes the album as “our collection of Polaroids. It’s not our magnum opus.”
One of the reasons the album is a solid one is because it came straight from the deepest corner of Matt Healy’s heart. Healy, the band’s leading vocalist and guitarist, recently opened up to the public about his struggles with drug addiction while working on their 2018 album Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships. While Healy has hinted about his addiction in previous works of theirs, Being Funny is a continuation of the discussion surrounding sobriety, life after a failed love, and the loneliness, lack of purpose, and dehumanizing cost of being famous in the 21st century.
Healy might as well have magical powers, because it is quite surreal how listeners can deeply empathize and relate to their music. On top of that, their lyricism is genius, filled with incredible metaphors, play on words, and rhymes that truly elevate the quality of this album.
What’s cool about the band is that each of their records opens with a self titled track, “The 1975.” Each one is different, but their purpose is to set the tone for the whole album, and Being Funny in a Foreign Language is absolutely no exception. The amount of clever rhymes in this song, coupled by a crescendoing melody, that overwhelms the listeners with emotion and prepares them for what’s to come.
“The 1975” is so genius, so ahead of its time, and so intensely relevant. It discusses the myriad of factors that contribute to the exhaustion of growing up in this socio-cultural climate. There is a consistent trope of being seventeen seen throughout the band’s discography. Why seventeen though? I’d like to say it’s because of how freeing yet distressing it is to be that age. There is this dueling narrative of youthful consciousness: not young enough but not old enough. It is such an ambivalent place to be.
A notable lyric that encapsulates the feeling is: “You’re making an aesthetic out of not doing well/ And mining all the bits of you you think you can sell.” It demonstrates how mental illness can be glorified in music, fashion, and media, and how especially musicians break down and wear themselves out in order to monetize their “brand.”
The album includes a few acoustic, soft, genuine love songs, including “Oh Caroline,” “I’m in Love With You,” “All I Need to Hear,” “About You,” and “When We Are Together.” These tracks describe the ups and downs of the aftermath of a meaningful relationship. Healy reminisces on his own fond experiences here, and transports listeners back to a past relationship. Healy describes how he longs to return to this place (or person, headspace…) which was the deepest love he’d ever felt, and questions if anyone else will ever fit so perfectly into his life. Through these songs, the listeners understand that the only condition in which Healy will feel better is if he gets back together with this person.
“About You” is a noteworthy love song from the album, and Healy mentions in the Apple Music interview that is it “a continuation of ‘Robbers,’” a track from their first studio album in 2013. Tying these two songs together gives listeners a full circle moment as this song, as well as their fanbase, has grown up and progressed together in the nine years since its initial release. Also, I die every single time Carly Holt’s verse comes on. Absolutely rips my heart out in the most magical way.
The remaining songs on this record, although not mentioned here but definitely still notable, are not at all out of place with the seemingly romantic vision that the love songs provide. They all tie in to the opening track as the band brings in elements of pop culture while simultaneously dealing with contemporary issues such as different masculine identities and pressures, the harm of social media, gun violence, being overly self aware, drug addiction, and unconventional roles in a postmodern world.
Healy was determined to bridge the gap between his identity and others’ perception of him, and although we can’t know for sure if this goal was accomplished, we can certainly empathize with the guy.
The band’s entire discography deals with similar adversities, and Being Funny in a Foreign Language definitely does not stray from this pattern. The lack of resolution that the band displays through this album and their discussion of related issues from almost a decade since their first release is somewhat telling of living in the 21st century: there are countless struggles we deal with both externally and internally, so we must make peace with the lack of control we have and continue evolving.
Personally, I am completely incapable of paying attention to both the melody and the lyrics, so my brain often chooses the melody, hence why I am an optimistic person but still am an avid 1975 fan. However, paying attention to the lyrics sparked a few new thoughts about the topic of love in this record. Healy’s discussion of his mental state after a relationship (especially “When We Are Together”), made me wonder why romantic relationships come and go in our lives. Is it merely for the purpose of having a person to do things and enjoy life with? Or is it so we can unlock new feelings of love, lust, deep sadness, and nostalgia that would have otherwise been unattainable? What if it’s not about the person you love? What if it’s all about how they make you feel? Why do we get so obsessed with the actual, physical person and not pay as much attention to the actual feelings they induce? The record also stirred up feelings of nostalgia for me, as the track, “Wintering”, talks about the Christmas season and the emotions involved in going home for the holidays and the quirks in families that we are so fond of when reminded of them. There is something so comforting to me about their music, as it makes me believe that wherever you are in your journey/mental state is perfectly fine. The fact that we are able to experience all these different emotions and feelings (not just love, but questions about our purpose, others perception of us, and identity) is such a cool thing in and of itself.
If you have never listened to The 1975 before, my top picks from Being Funny In A Foreign Language are “The 1975,” “Happiness,” and “About You.” These songs not only exemplify the fantastic writing and idea of the record, but the melodies are absolute ear candy. You will not be disappointed. Additionally, my favorites from their other words are, “If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know),” “Me & You Together Song (Notes On A Conditional Form),” and “Paris” (i like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it). Give these a listen, and you will transcend. The lyrics and meaning of these tracks are great, but the music scratches an itch in my brain and makes my heart flutter in the most beautiful way.
