what's next for the 1975?
By Mackenzie Wagner
On May 22, The 1975 is set to release their fourth studio album Notes on a Conditional Form. After a brief postponement of the album, listeners are waiting anxiously to hear the 22 new tracks the band has recorded. To introduce this new album, the band released a series of songs that will appear on the album.
The first of these songs was “The 1975,” the title of the first song on every album thus far. The track was released in July 2019 and surprised many of the band’s followers. Most were expecting the typical lyrics, “Go down / Soft sound,” to start the album but instead heard a speech by a young activist Greta Thunberg rallying for civil disobedience in response to climate change. This release was the first of many and made a clear statement that the album would be much different than anything the band has released before.
With change comes a bit of mixed opinions. The band is unpredictable, as they are not afraid to take musical risks. There is no doubt that The 1975 is a talented band, but some risks have had more rewards than others. “The Birthday Party” is the single that has received the most mixed opinions. The unconventional nature of the song and animated, internet meme-based video that accompanies it depicts how society tends to brush off issues regarding intoxication. While some listeners have embraced the change, others have taken to social media to express that it is not their favorite track off the album.
A few of the new tracks sparked a mix of opinions from listeners but there was one in particular that has proven to be a favorite. “If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)” was played live in the last few shows the band played and has been the most anticipated song since. As soon as the track was released, fans went crazy, praising it and debating that it could possibly be the best song the band has released. The song has been positively compared to the band’s older music as it fits their ambiance then and clearly fits their vibe now.
In just a few days, Notes on a Conditional Form will be released in its entirety. As for the future, there has been a lot of speculation about what comes next. All dates for the band’s upcoming tour have been either postponed or rescheduled due to the unpredictable conditions caused by COVID-19. A rumored Drive Like I Do project and new music for The 1975 have both been rumored and hinted at, but fans will have to wait a little longer for a formal announcement.