Here, there is something for pretty much everyone, I give you four recommendations to help vary your music taste!
1. The Smiths - if you haven't heard of them then you're missing out on so much! The music that The Smiths create can easily be compared to the feeling of a hug...from a giant, friendly polar bear. The Smiths will show you that you don't have to be alone, they can pick you right up (Hand in Glove) or calm you right down (Asleep). Do yourself a favour and have a listen!
2. Liberty Ship - Liberty Ship are an indie band originating from the good old Steel City! The band consists of four school friends who are passionate about the music they're creating. With just one listen, you can they are tell are going to be big! Think the next Arctic Monkeys.
3. King Charles - what is not to love? With amazing lyrics and music that is refreshing and easy to along with, but nothing far from perfection, give King Charles a listen! I recommend them if you The Gorgeous Chans, Grouplove or Dog is Dead.
4. The Wombats - this funky pop trio are for those of you who like to dance around with the biggest of smiles of your faces'. If you can listen to The Wombats without at least tapping your foot- then you have amazing restraint! I'd trust you to work in a bubble wrap factory! Enjoy!
Well, well, well look who's here again! I just cannot get enough of the Manchester foursome, The 1975! One thing admirable about The 1975 is the fact that they are so honest with the music that they create. They don't avoid 'touchy subjects' and they create music about real issues/adventures that life involves. Drugs. Love. Sex. So these topics are discussed on the album- which is so refreshing and charming that you can't help but love them! Then at the same time they can pair these lyrics with upbeat tunes of a high quality. This album ticks ALL the boxes. So, here is my track by track view of the self-titled album!
Rating: *****
'The 1975' The opening track is here to set the tone for the self-titled album- which it achieves perfectly! This track is short but builds to an epic crescendo which quickly cuts...leaving you excited for what's in store!
'The City'
This song perfectly captures the essence of The 1975. It has a catchy tune, heavy drums and an infectious beat. The lyrics to this song are flawlessly sung by Matthew Healy who you can't help but sing along with. A round of applause to The 1975, we're already in love.
'M.O.N.E.Y'
What a song! On only the third track The 1975 throw out some of their best work. 'M.O.N.E.Y' again give us their signature sound and robotic-style harmonies. I get the feeling of some Prince influences from this track- and I'm not complaining!
'Chocolate'
This track is most likely the most well known song by The 1975- as you can't go a day without hearing it on the radio. The boys caress our ear drums with the amazing tune of this song and catchy guitar hooks. The lyrics tell us of the hinted drug-fueled adventures of the youthful band. It's truly exceptional, honest and a delight to hear. With such lyrics as, 'guns hidden under our petticoats', 'run, run away from the boys in the blue'- which show us how this songs has hints towards the police/law enforcement using their power to control youth. A youth which don't necessarily need controlling.
'Sex'
If you couldn't tell already The 1975 love to tell us a good story, and this song is no exception! You can hear the power in Matthew Healy's voice as he delivers perfect vocals and catchy lyrics. You can tell that this song would be great live- having everybody dancing and singing, 'She's got a boyfriend anyway!'. Awesome.
'Talk!'
'Why you talk so loud?'.This song perfectly showcases Ross McDonald's bass skills. This is a very easy song to get along with and changes from a choppy rhythm to a slow groove.
'An Encounter' This track is a very short, almost trippy, interlude. There isn't much to say about it except that it's a good pallet cleanser and refreshes you.
'Heart Out' I get a 'Prince-feeling' (if you will) from this track. After being refreshed by the previous track, I really like the song.
'Settle Down'
Probably my favourite song by The 1975- this is much slower than tracks such as, 'Girls'. When Matty sings, 'For crying out loud, settle down', I cannot help but get chills and want sing with him.
'Robbers' 'Robbers' is a much calmer song where we get to hear more of Healy's romantic vocals. This song, again, tells us a story which implies violence, drugs and trouble. For me, this is one of the best songs on the album. I adore it.
'Girls'
Wow. Wow. WOW. This song is complete pick me up and a definite favourite. I'm not sure if it's the handy work of Adam Hann or the catchy lyrics but this song is truly something else. It's a contrast with the previous calmer track, but this colourful injection is not one that would go without a miss. Whether or not it's intentional I can hear the sound of Cyndi Lauper in here, 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun', even though the lyrics hold the antheisis of Cyndi's hit.
'12'
Much like the opening track, '12' is short, but most definitly sweet.
'Menswear'
Such a cool track. It really grabs your interest and I love the line, 'Why don't you talk to Matty about it?'.It makes you feel involved in the song which bursts into life after a synthesized introduction. Again, we get a mention of drugs in here- a running and refreshingly honest theme that The 1975 involve.
'Pressure'
I believe that this track could quite easily be about the pressure of suddenly being a band that has gone from playing together in Matty's bedroom to having a world tour. However, we are promised, 'There's a change in pressure, we're never gonna le to you'. This is quite a laid-back song but with the same The 1975 beat. This track is very inspiring. This song is great to listen to when you're studying as it's not too 'dance-around-your-room-happy' but isn't 'sit-and-think-about-the-meaning-of-life-laidback'. A quality track.
'Is There Somebody Who Can Watch You' This is the big finale for an exceptional album. You can really hear the emotion in Healy's voice and tell that the lyrics come from close to the heart. This song is almost a lullaby, a great send off to a great album.
********************* 102 This is a beautiful song, you can hear the raw emotion in Healy's voice as he executes, 'you yapping on about him'. It is relatable to anyone who has ever been in the chokehold of unrequited love. Possibly my faovurite song of all time.
I've been a HUGE fan of John Green since I read Paper Towns in 2010. I've deeply admired and cherished his work for so long- and now I'm beyond happy that The Fault in Our Stars (his latest best seller) is being adapted into a film! Yay!
So, I highly recommend that you read the book before the film release, if you haven't already- and here's a lovely little playlist for you to listen to along the way! Enjoy!
Discalimer: you're going to fall in love with Augustus Waters whether you like it or not. So just let it happen.
Playlist
Listen here! Free Fallin' // John Mayer In this Aeroplane over the Sea // Neutral Milk Hotel
Anti-D // The Wombats
Back Seat Serenade // All Time Low
Oh My Stars // Andrew Belle Lola // The Kinks
Love is a Laserquest // Arctic Monkeys
Winter Winds // Mumford & Sons
Friday I'm in Love // The Cure
Bigmouth Strikes Again // The Smiths Seaside // The Kooks
Amsterdam // Coldplay
Getting Away with it all Messed up // James
Ghosts // Cast of Lions
Broken // Jake Bugg Wake Me Up When September Ends // Green Day
