The 1975 have released the first two songs of their upcoming fourth album, set to come out in February 2020.
Their first song, titled The 1975, is with climate activist Greta Thunberg, featuring a monologue in which she calls on the listeners to “rebel.” Their first three albums have also begun with songs with the same title, each a completely different song that sets the tone for the album.
Over a fairly simplistic and calming melody, Thunberg discusses everything she is fighting for in her movement against the “climate crisis.” She addresses the failures that have occurred as well as those that are possible, and calls for the acknowledgement of our currently failing species.
Thunberg’s statements are met with movement in the music, creating a deeper and artistic approach that goes hand in hand with her words. As she speaks, there are variances in the soft piano melody, with higher and quicker notes played at her most important points, and lower notes when she focuses on the possible detrimentality of our current situation.
Throughout the song, Thunberg stands up against those who hate on her, for her age or her Asperger’s diagnosis. The solution to the climate crisis which she presents is “so simple that even a small child can understand it.” Critics and others have labeled her too young to understand the climate situation or too young to make a difference, but with the platform she is gaining she is fighting against them. In this piece with The 1975, her activism is shown to a new audience, one which she is sure to get her point across to.
This piece is strong, it sends the message the band and Thunberg were trying to send. After giving her solution and explaining how “black and white” that answer is, she establishes a strong connection with the listener. She presents a choice to the people, one which will determine the continuation of life on earth, and as she does so, the different instruments and parts of the melody unite. Thunberg claims, “[it] is up to you and me,” and as she says, “you and me,” the music stops for the first time, creating a statement so powerful that I got chills as I listened.
She continues, asking for her audience to “wake up” and help the cause. The music begins again, flowing with her words and gradually strengthening and uniting the melody.
Thunberg embraces the idea of speaking out, breaking the rules, rebelling. On a high powered note, she concludes, “So, everyone out there, it is now time for civil disobedience. It is time to rebel.”
This monologue serves as the most influential song I have listened to. While I am unsure I am correct to classify it as a song, I was definitely not disappointed by the piece despite it straying away from my expectations.
The 1975’s activist route continues in their second song released, titled People. Beginning with “Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!” it mirrors Thunberg’s statements and resumes her call on the listeners to begin to act.
People is quite a loud, punk rock track to play right after The 1975, but I found the lack of transition to be a powerful way to get their point across. Going from Thunberg’s softer voice, that while calm was still extremely influential, to the fast drum beat and yelling voice of lead singer Matthew Healy, expressed the crisis’ urgency in a very creative way. In a sense, after being asked by Thunberg to rebel, I felt that I was rebelling already just by listening to the following rock song.
Healy’s rock-n-roll screams convey the gravity of the world’s problems, and the song as a whole succeeds in waking you up and preparing you for action.
The 1975’s turn to activism continues to bridge the gap between media, specifically music, and advocacy. While social media platforms have given many artists platforms to speak out regarding issues they are passionate about, this band takes that involvement to the next level by speaking out through their form of art. This unique approach is one that has proved successful thus far, and I predict the positive reception will continue.
The 1975 and People beautifully illustrate a crisis that needs acknowledgement from every world citizen immediately. The two opposite musical approaches convey the band’s artistic genius, while presenting a pair of powerful and inspirational songs that everyone should take the time to listen to.