Notes On A Conditional Form
The 1975, a band I have enjoyed since the beginning almost 10 years ago, when I was introduced to this awesome new English pop rock band. This year with the release of Jesus Christ 2005 God Bless America, I had a feeling that this album would be a great one. And I must say I am pleasantly surprised. Their last album, A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships, wasn’t my favorite so I wasn’t sure this would be an album for me. Notes On A Conditional Form, brought me into what felt like an upgraded world of the 1975 that I am very excited about.
The opening track, 1975, is a powerful accompaniment behind Greta Thunberg, noting how simple and necessary a change can be, and that major action needs to be taken. Talk about drawing me in, give me a strong woman that’s empowered to speak her truth and I’m in. This moves into People, which immediately reminded me of classic Scott Weiland’s grimy vocals mixed with a dash of The Vines energy. There’s also a strong guitar tracking that would make this song perfect for a drive. Which brings us into a light instrumental with The End (Music For Cars). A change of pace from People, with some pure and beautiful strings, chimes, and a sequential billowing drumming in the background. I could see this song would be used for the realization point in a movie, or for running through a large grassy field. Maybe I am just missing outdoor adventures though, so it could just be me that thinks about stuff like that. Frail State Of Mind, picks back into some of the classic 1975 vibe with a driving beat that you’ll find yourself bopping your head to. Midway through, there are more strong strings and this pushes almost into a Calvin Harris, Summer kind of vibe before stepping into the guys doing their thing. Next up is Streaming, this instrumental again comes in strong with some beautiful strings and feels incredibly light, and makes me feel like I am living in the world of Fantasia. This transitions perfectly into The Birthday Party, a more twangy vibe on the album. This comes in with light keys into a steady drum back beat and some tambourine. This song is a subtle roast and I enjoy every bit of it. And the saxophone! Give me some sax, an I am in, there is just something about it that I always feel in my bones. Yeah I Know, the next track brought me right back to Kanye West’s Runaway era. But surprisingly we are brought this Runaway reminder with an auto-tuned electronic groovy elevator music. With this comes a good beat and simple repeating lyrics. This song is one I could see myself throwing on while mindlessly doing things around the house. Then Because She Goes, we’re brought back into a classic 1975 jam with harmonies and driving guitar. This flows into the song that might just be my favorite on the album, Jesus Christ 2005 God Bless America. This acoustic, beautifully raw song reminds me of so many things. From Defeater’s I Don’t Mind, to really any acoustic Manchester Orchestra song, this song is a beautiful tragedy. It’s what our world needs right now, among all the chaos that the last few years have brought. This song also features a beautiful vocal by, Phoebe Bridgers, that is haunting and raw. Roadkill picks the album back up with a guitar tone reminiscent of John Mayer, I’m into it. I love some clean guitar and vocals, this has both plus some more twang. Me & You Together Song is a light bop, with a driving high tone guitar sound. This is home for them, their bread and butter. I Think There’s Something You Should Know, I can’t help but feel like I’m shopping at Forever 21 but in the 80’s. Nothing Revealed / Everything Denied comes in with bluesy piano, unexpected after the previous song. I am getting Mac Miller vibes (R.I.P.), with that harmony and the simplicity. I got chills, and feels with this one. God I miss Mac Miller so much. I imagine he’d like this album very much. This song is an ode to Miller if I’ve ever heard one. I’m not crying, your crying. I can’t help but feel like this outro guitar was crying out for all the people we’ve lost. A truly beautiful song. Tonight (I Wish I was Your Boy), another classic 1975 song. I can see this being in a movie when the “nerdy” guy is watching the girl he likes dance with one of the popular guys at homecoming. This sax swings us right into Shiny Collarbone, this features Cutty Ranks, and really just makes me want to listen to Sean Paul after this. But this drop beat feels grimy and I love it. If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know), comes in with a strong coursing guitar that sends you right back into the 80’s. They are just always trying to get me out of my clothes. And there is that sax again, which there could always be more of, at least in my book. Playing On My Mind, another simple acoustic, kind of reminds me of a slightly more upbeat, Carolina In My Mind (might just be the name similarity), but for this generation. But overall, this is song is simple and beautiful. Having No Head is so incredibly light, complicated and beautiful. Somehow this song is exactly how I feel right now. What Should I Say has a grimy tone, a heavy bass beat and I love it. This also reminds me of My Dark Twisted Fantasy era Kanye. That low bass gets me every time. This would be a really good driving song. Bagsy Not In Net another classically 1975 song. Don’t Worry is without a doubt an emo Disney theme song, with a brief Kanye moment, ending with an almost Backstreet Boys ending, and I loved every bit of it. The final song of this 22 track album is Guys, which is a story of the good times, a love song for the boys in the band. It feels super cheesy, but I can appreciate sharing the love.
All in all this album is solid, there a plenty of tracks and vibes to choose from for whatever mood you might be in. They bring to light a lot of important issues in the midst of these jams as well. It’s worth a listen, so go check it out!
Have you checked out this album yet? If not, you can listen to Notes On A Conditional Form here.
