In a rock world that often rewards neo-nazis and white supremacists with the spotlight, The 1975 occupy an alternative position. Throughout their many albums, band leader Matty Healy has been a champion for equality and diversity. Healy's lyricism is complex, clever and often catchy - he is one of his generation's best wordsmiths. But, over-intellectualising his lyrics and often using paragraph-long quotes in interviews, he can also fall into the trap of excess.
While being a master of pop music, the 1975's lyrical output is often full of social commentary and political activism. They tackle a range of issues from sexuality to mental health, with Healy frequently criticising the mainstream media and their depiction of young people. This is especially apparent on their fifth album, Being Funny in a Foreign Language.
From addressing the cult-like status of certain bands to the way in which people are manipulated by memes and social media, Being Funny is an album that examines the modern world through a very human lens. While Healy is still keen to explore the darker sides of life and make the listener feel uncomfortable, he has toned down his over-intellectualising, which has sometimes hindered the impact of previous 1975 albums.
But, that doesn't mean that Being Funny isn't a worthy addition to the 1975's back catalogue. The album's many gems include a beg from Healy to his drug dealer for money and an exploration of the unassailable pain of losing someone close to you, but it is the song's opening couplet that takes the gold medal for sheer impact. It encapsulates the way in which romantic misery isn't just a teenage phenomenon and will probably be a recurring theme for a lot of people out there.
