Album Review: The 1975 – I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It
2 min read
The enigmatic The 1975 have returned with the second chapter of their musical journey, and the product of their evolution I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It (ILIWYSFYASBYSUOI). While stylistically stark from the ominous sounds of their debut with their bright exterior, this second coming still has strong lyrical depth that stems from those first tracks, essentially acting as an answer to The 1975.
Opening with the familiar intro The 1975 before launching into the infectious discotheque groove of raucous lead single Love Me. With tracks UGH!, She’s American and The Sound following on with a similar vibrancy. Then dialling down the theatrics, A Change Of Heart, strips down some of the pink, pop elements and may be the most basic sounding track on the record, involving only three notes and some synth but it’s simplicity makes it one of the most beautiful and self aware. Acting as a key player on the record, as it mentions and evolves from older The 1975 lyrics, directly referencing the infamous Robbers opener, “She had a face straight out a magazine”, with A Change Of Heart replying, “You used to have a face straight out of a magazine, now you just look like anyone”. As well as acknowledging The City, recognizing “If you wanna find love, you know where the city is”, countering with, “I feel as though I was deceived, I never found love in the city”.
Although it isn’t all glitter and neon lights, ILIWYSFYASBYSUOI does come with some serious emotional baggage, The Ballad Of Me And My Brain and Somebody Else boast soulful passion, with deep, personal significance radiating from each of these crooners. But nothing can prepare you for heart wrenching two finale tracks. The emotion pours from Matthew “Matty” Healy as he lays it all on the line with his vocals demanding a listen, as he gracefully serenades Nana straight from the heart. Before his vocals crack in the ending lines, “But I’m befereft you see, I think you can tell” / “I haven’t been doing so well” truly tugging on your heartstrings. Leading onto the stripped down acoustic ballad She Lays Down, just as emotionally heavy as the last referencing his mother’s postnatal depression with chords complimenting Healy’s husky vocals to stunning effect, warbling, “She’s appalled oh she doesn’t love me at all” before signifying the end of the record, stating, “That was It”.
The 1975 aren’t a band deep-rooted in sound, they’re storytellers, crafting experience into song for all to hear. I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It is an incredibly emotional record, frantically moving from vibrant pop to soulful croons within minutes. And while it boasts an impressive 17 tracks, not one feels out of place, and nothing feels overdone as each track pulses with a unique and intense energy.
