Album Review: The 1975 - Notes On A Conditional Form

After several push-backs, notorious perfectionistic pop-rockers The 1975 have finally shared their long-awaited fourth release, Notes On A Conditional Form.

In typical The 1975 fashion, the album begins with a self-titled track, featuring the empowering words of Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg over a soft piano arrangement. People smashes in and kickstarts the album with distorted vocals and guitar warped inside a danceable beat, referencing the chaotic, indulgent society we live in.

The album covers many personal and vulnerable themes; one most obvious is anxiety and internal struggles with ones poor mental wellbeing. Frail State Of Mind's twinkling strings, synth leads and vocal chops are all whirled into a dream pool of sound as singer Matty Healy's fragile voice navigates struggling mentally around friends and family while avoiding being a burden "don't wanna bore you with my frail state of mind" pulling hard at the heart.

The internal monologue continues within The Birthday Party, and Jesus Christ 2005 God Bless America, where the angelic tones of Phoebe Bridgers elicits goosebumps. Healy sings "I'm in love with a boy I know" while Bridgers similarity states "I'm in love with the girl next door". It's a hauntingly painful battle between faith and sexuality.

Sure to take everyone by storm, the initial country-styled guitar licks of Roadkill feels completely out of left field, but knowing The 1975 at all, you'd be used to the surprises. References to 2014's Robbers are sprinkled throughout, the line "if you don't eat then you'll never grow" taking a self-dig at failing to catch your decline.

As always we are met with a few instrumental tracks, from the cinematic The End (Music For Cars) and Streaming, the reggae cross hip hop breakdown of Shiny Collarbone or the kaleidoscopic colour trip of Having No Head, they're each a solid nod to The 1975's proficient ability to create a story through sound alone.

Romance is a heavy theme throughout, often coloured in a light haze of warm tonality from drawn out guitars and harmonies in Then Because She Goes and Me & You Together Song, the latter giving off Busted's What I Go To School For energy. 

The most anticipated and standout pop track comes in the form of If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know), as heavily reverberated guitar cuts through enchanting 'oohs' giving off a very '80s Tears For Fears Everybody Wants To Rule The World vibe, something that could be placed seamlessly inside a cult classic, coming-of-age film. As the bass rips into a funky riff, the drums get thicker and the synths stronger, exploding into the saxophonic chorus, it encapsulates everything The 1975 do well with their biggest pop hits.

From here on out the album takes a softer turn, mimicking the regrouping after a cathartic release of emotional energy. Playing On My Mind questions the little things that occupy the mind when we get time alone, as What Should I Say's colourful layers stir under a deepened harsh vocal. 

Don't Worry, featuring Healy's father Tim is a glimmer of hope, love and support, reminding that no matter the sun, the rain or the storms, we've all got someone to bare it with. It is singlehandedly the song that may just help fans get through this tough global climate.

As wholesome slow-jam Guys wraps up, exuding vulnerability, Notes On A Conditional Form offers a loving sense of relatability and authenticity in a world that appears to be falling apart at the seams.