Small Ensembles - The 1975
The 1975 is an example of a contemporary indie pop/rock band. Despite "indie" being more of a term for self-made or self-distributed music than a specific sound, indie pop and indie rock are clearly separate from regular pop and rock. They tend to reflect their DIY aspect in their sound, often utilising typically basic or vintage sounds or instruments, such as clean guitars, electric pianos, or lofi beats. The genre's demographic is generally teenagers and young adults.
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The 1975 are a band from Manchester, London, consisting of Matty Healy (vocals), George Daniel (drums), Adam Hann (lead guitar) and Ross McDonald (bass). What began as a high school band is now a genre-bending, award winning, Grammy nominated musical icon. They released their debut album The 1975 in 2013, and have since released two more, I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it (2016) and A brief inquiry into online relationships (2018), with a fourth titled Notes on a conditional form due in April 2020.
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Ask any fan of the 1975 to pinpoint their genre, and you'll probably be met with a long, well thought out essay with no conclusive answer. From heavy metal rock song People (2019) to soft jazz ballad Mine (2018) to a literal speech given by Greta Thunberg in The 1975 (2019), The 1975 are continuously shocking listeners with songs from countless different genres. However, indie pop and rock are undoubtedly common in the band's discography.
In The 1975's debut self-titled album, a major 80s indie rock inspired theme is apparent, made evident through classic acoustic backbeats, both clean and overdrive electric guitar sounds, simple basslines, and the occasional punchy lead synth, all paired with rough, angsty vocals and lyrics. The visuals accompanying this album are exclusively in black and white, possibly a reference to the simplicity of teenage and young adult years, a theme that becomes apparent from lyrics about love and drugs. Some good examples of this 80s rock influence include Chocolate, Girls, and Robbers.
Then there's the band's second album, I like it when you sleep, for you a so beautiful yet so unaware of it. This time, the influence of 80s pop is clear; with electronic drum kits, techno percussion, loud snares, vintage electric pianos, clean guitars, bass synths and classic 80s synths. Some examples of these can be found in She's American, UGH!, Somebody Else, and Love Me. Even visually, the band continued this theme through neon pink lights and colourfully unapologetic eye makeup. This era brought with it a much more lyrically complex dynamic, commenting on things such as the superficiality of fame and how media and pop culture conditions its youth.
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The example I have attached at the beginning of this article is the song UGH! from the 2016 album I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it. It's a beautiful blend of all aforementioned iconic 80s sounds with contemporary pop sounds, making it stand out as not quite your average pop song.