The 1975 – I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It (Dirty Hit/Interscope, 2016)
The 1975’s sophomore album is much like their first, bringing back the electro-pop rock days of the ‘80s. Songs like “Love Me” and “UGH!” kick things off well as the guitar riffs and groovy basslines take you back in time and make you want to dance. However, as the album goes on, softer, more ambient sounds take over and can be sleep-inducing. While the band does try to stray away from their signature sound, these instances are unimpressive and overlong, especially with the album being 73 minutes long. After a while, many of the instrumentals and lead singer Matthew Healy’s lyrical themes start to become excessively repetitive; if you’re looking for something other than drugs and sex, you’re in the wrong place. Overall, the 1975’s new album is fun, if lacking in imagination.
Trial Track: “Love Me”
6/10