If you would have told me back in January that the 1975 was going to release one of my favorite albums of 2018, I probably wouldn't have believed you- but here we are. A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships is a career-defining moment for the group. In a recent interview, front man Matty Healy told Entertainment Weekly, "Soundtracks are how I see my albums because they go all over the place but they make sense." That's certainly the case here, and A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships is a soundtrack for the screen age.
Conceptually, this record paints a stark and honest picture of modern life, in a time where interconnectivity and isolation are one and the same. While it touches on topics like self-identity and drug addiction, it really homes in on the nature of relationships in the postmodern world. We live in a society that is characterized by things like division, dishonesty, insincerity, insecurity, miscommunication, polarization, addiction, and loneliness. Healy never claims to have definitive solutions to any of these problems, but he does propose that they can stem from and/or be intensified by the use of technology. His lyricism is wonderfully expressive; there are moments on this record where his words cut like a knife. "Kids don't want rifles, they want Supreme," he remarks in "I Love America & America Loves Me" — a disturbing reminder that guns are more accessible to children than popular clothing items. The themes he explores are not only thought-provoking, but relatable, relevant, and timely.
Sonically, the group really wears their influences (which are very eclectic) on their sleeve with this record. You might think that would result in a complete lack of originality, but that's not necessarily true in this case. For example, synthesized vocals and orchestral instrumentation are fairly prevalent throughout the entire album. You can hear them on tracks like "The 1975," "How To Draw / Petrichor," and "I Like America & America Likes Me," to name a few. This sort of production quickly calls to mind projects like Bon Iver's 22, A Million. That project was a reinvention of sorts, but you could still hear Justin Vernon's folkish roots at the heart of it. Similarly, A Brief Inquiry is a reinvention of sorts, but you don't hear folk at the heart of it; you hear pop. You don't hear Justin Vernon; you hear the 1975. The group might utilize a lot of the same tools as Vernon, but ultimately, they stay true to their roots. Nevertheless, I will concede that the heavy influence present on this album is grounds for valid criticism. But if you can get past that, there are certainly rewarding aspects of this record.
The album begins with their signature self-titled intro track, which is aesthetically revamped for every new album release. This time around, the instrumentation consists solely of soft piano chords and thundering synthesized vocals, which provide some awesome dynamic contrast. Stylistically, it serves as an apt introduction to the project. From there, we come to the album's first single, "Give Yourself a Try," a song about finding your identity in an age where it's easy to get caught up in the monotony of daily life. The entire track is carried along by a loud and heavily distorted guitar riff that I initially found to be mundane and grating — but after a few more listens, it grew on me a bit. "TOOTIMETOOTIMETOOTIME" is a track that explores how modern technology has contributed to the prevalence of infidelity in relationships today. It's a fairly standard pop song instrumentally, but it easily has one of the catchiest hooks on the entire album.
"How To Draw / Petrichor" is an intriguing and entrancing two-part track. While "How To Draw" is made up of that dreamy orchestral instrumentation and synthesized vocal layering I discussed earlier, "Petrichor," is characterized by exciting electronic instrumentation and breakbeat percussion that's reminiscent of artists like Jon Hopkins and Baths.
"Love It If We Made It" is one of the best songs of 2018. It's a sociopolitical pop anthem that calls attention to how profoundly perverted and bizarre our society has become. About halfway through, the track opens up with some resounding choirs, bright synths, and bubbly bass-lines that really bring a lot of life to it. The melodies are infectious and Healy's vocal performance is superb. All in all, this is a top-tier track both lyrically and instrumentally.
A lot of tracks on this album feel more intimate and honest than anything the group has ever released. You have stripped down acoustic ballads like "Be My Mistake" and "Surrounded by Heads and Bodies," which are both poignant and stunning. The group took a page from Morrissey's book with the song "Inside Your Mind"; in an interview with Pitchfork, Healy himself referred to the lyrics of that song as "morbidly romantic." The group also dabbles in jazz with songs like "Sincerity Is Scary," and "Mine," both of which are some of my favorites cuts on the album. "Mine" is a charming contemporary jazz ballad that is clearly inspired by artists like Gershwin and Coltrane. The soft keys, swelling strings, and warm trumpet melodies create a beautiful ambiance surrounding the smooth bass and brushed snare that carry the track along. It's elegant and graceful.
If there's one track that comprehensively summarizes the theme of this album, it's "The Man Who Married a Robot / Love Theme." This song is basically a modern adaptation of Radiohead's "Fitter Happier." It tells the story of a man whose most intimate relationship in life was with the internet—but in the end, the internet was nothing more than a distraction from the man's tremendous loneliness and unfulfilled dreams. Fittingly, it's narrated by none other than Apple's Siri. Instrumentally, it's warm, bright, and cinematic. Admittedly, it's pretty off-putting that this track borrows so heavily from "Fitter Happier." Even still, it serves as a fitting interlude for the record thematically.
The album comes to a close with two wistful pop ballads. "I Couldn't Be More in Love" is driven by an 80s pop synth similar to the Korg M1. This track has one of the best vocal performances I've ever heard from Matty Healy. In his interview with Pitchfork, Healy mentioned that these vocals were recorded the day before he went into rehabilitation for his heroin addiction. He was "upset and scared," and as a result, his vocals were incredibly raw, intense, and impassioned. "I Always Wanna Die (Sometimes)" is makes for an extraordinary finale. This Britpop number might be one of the 1975's biggest songs ever. It's both heart-wrenching and sanguine. Musically, it's cinematic and spirited.
A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships is a great album. As I mentioned previously, it is very heavily influenced stylistically—and as far as pacing is concerned, I can understand how it might feel a bit tedious at times. There are quite a few downtempo tracks occurring back-to-back in the latter half of the record. But if I'm being honest, this hardly affects my enjoyment of the album. Every song feels engaging and purposeful. I enjoy the perspectives that Healy shares, and I believe the group does a good job at remaining fixated on the record's concept. Even if you've hated The 1975 in the past, you might enjoy this record. Definitely give it a chance.
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