The 1975’s second studio album — “I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it” (ILIWYSFYASBYSUOI) — is more than just its name. The pink disc separates itself entirely from the first album released by the band by bringing a new hit-or-miss sound, vibe, and aesthetic to the table.
The band’s self-titled first album was an alternative hit. Comparable to bands like alt-j and The Neighbourhood, they had created an aesthetic that fit the album extremely well and followed them on their almost two year long tour. Before the release of ILIWYSFYASBYSUOI, they had teased their fanbase with a goodbye letter that claimed they were breaking up because they didn’t feel the same about their music anymore. They came back not long after with a letter claiming that it was just the OLD 1975 that was leaving, replaced by a newer, pinker version.
The album began with the first single, Love Me, which erupted with a surprising, 80’s, techno-dance sound that was too different from everything I knew so well. The second single, UGH!, sounded so much more like their past music that I regained all hope for this album.
The next two singles, The Sound and Somebody Else, put me back on the fence but by the time the album was officially released those had grown on me so much that the album had little work to do. We hear the familiar instrumentals with songs like Please Be Naked and Lostmyhead as well as songs with similar beats to the first album, such as She’s American, which can be easily compared to Settle Down off of The 1975.
There is a nice mix of angsty scream-alongs such as The Ballad of Me and My Brain, fun dance tunes like This Must Be My Dream, and soft sounds of all types from the story-telling songs A Change of Heart and Nana to the romantic Paris. Though it’s not an album I can sit and listen to all the way through due to my simple distaste for a couple songs, there are definitely a handful of tunes that I’ve had on repeat since the album’s release earlier this year.
Although there are some undeniable classics on the album such as If I Believe you, the immediate separation of style from the first was almost startling after such a long time listening to their original sound. My initial reaction to hearing singles like Love Me was a mixture of surprise and sadness. I knew that the band had changed up their style but the new music wasn’t mine the same way their old music always seemed to be.
Although this album doesn’t have the same grungy sound that I fell in love with, “I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it” has settled comfortably into my heart and my ears. The alternative music has more pop, color and sound than ever before and there’s a song for any mood, even that of your favorite band going from black to pink.
Samantha Bowman, Guest Reporter
