MUSIC: Popular British band, The 1975, released their refreshing new single “Love Me.”
By Lily Mitchell, Staff Writer
They’re back! After what seemed like an eternity (actually 2 years) since their self-titled debut featuring tasty chart-topper “Chocolate,” Matty Healy and his Manchester-based pop-rock band, The 1975, have dropped a funky new track onto our musical plates. “Love me if that’s what you wanna do,” sings Healy, backed by deliciously heavy bass and a lovely wave of eclectic ‘80s sounds. Don’t forget the sweet cherry-on-top sound of a cowbell towards the end.
So, we have this infectious single, but how does it stack up against our favorite hits like “Chocolate,” “Girls” and “Robbers”? “Love Me” is delightfully different, to say the very least. Healy’s moody vocals gravitate away from the breathy, whispery, almost whiny tone that he had on the first album. This punchier song, much like “The City” in terms of intensity, marks a transition to more of a dance sound. Don’t worry, “dance” does not mean a lack of real instruments. Instead, this one makes you want to get up and jam out. Imagine a similar bass line to the famous “Panic Station” by Muse taken and infused with retro flair, complete with quirky sounds. Of course, loosely groovy guitar with a disco flavor is layered on top for that juicy sound.
With such a drastic stylistic change, this can only mean one thing: a new album may be on the way. Of course, the band’s gift for producing deep lyrics has not changed one bit and this is clear with the wittiest lines of the whole track: “You’ve got a beautiful face but got nothing to say/You look famous, let’s be friends and portray we possess something important.” Besides the obvious hint of transforming the band’s signature black- and-white Twitter page to a new baby blue and pink color scheme, The 1975 are clearly ditching their 1980’s Michael Jackson, Men at Work and Cyndi Lauper-esque sound for a more unique pop-rock sound inspired by the funk-disco of the 1980’s like Chic and Thomas Dolby.
Though painting a clear picture of a sophomore album proves impossible with all of the cryptic publicity, expect less soft and more edgy, with a dash of dance and a more mature angle on the hipster alternative sound. What’s not to love about “Love Me”?