Most of you are likely thinking The 1975 are just another boy band. Well maybe you're right - but it's a different kind of boy band in that they're playing their own instruments and writing perfect pop songs that have the feel of 1980s new wave.
I've recommended their singles over the last 6 months simply because I like them. This self-titled album is wonderful and chalk full of hits. I can't believe they're not a household name in North America as yet. I predict they will be - but cracking America's though. It always has been for UK acts but if the likes of Ed Sheeran and Olly Murs are able to do it then there's no reason these lads from Cheshire, England can't do it.
I first heard the song 'Chocolate' via BBC Radio 1 on Zane Lowe's show earlier this year. Zane took them under his wing and gave them enough respect allowing them to avoid a bit of that boy band labelling. Then I saw them twice at SXSW in Austin and was sold. They played to about 100 people at Red Eyed Fly without time for a sound check. They played 5 songs in record time during that particular showcase and that was part of their charm. The lead singer grabbed the mic and said something like "We locked ourselves in a room and watched John Hughes films then wrote these songs" and went straight into their hit song 'The City'.
John Hughes carefully selected the music and culture surrounding his films. From Simple Mind's 'Don't You Forget About Me' in The Breakfast Club, The Thompson Twins 'If You Were Here' in Sixteen Candles to Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark's 'If You Leave' in Pretty In Pink. I'm certain John would have loved The 1975 and that at least one of their tracks would have appeared in one of his films.
Here are a few tracks from the band that I really like...
'Robbers'
'Girls'
'Sex'
'Chocolate'
Their fan base may very well be 20 something girls - but good music is good music and I recommend you give this album a listen. I'm a fan.
Thanks for reading/listening.
Gregg
