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Music and structure

Being Funny in a Foreign Language is primarily a pop, pop rock, synth-pop, folk rock and country album.

a folk and heartland rock-influenced synth-pop, pop, pop rock, country and folk rock album.

• pop
• pop rock
• synth-pop
• folk rock
• country

• folk influence
• heartland rock influence
• classic rock influence

The album's production is composed of 1980s-style guitars, "pumping" drums, and "schmaltzy" saxophones.

Being Funny in a Foreign Language represents a distinct structural shift for the band, omitting the spoken-word pieces, electronic "flourishes" and "cinematic" instrumental interludes that have characterised their prior albums. Clash writer James Mellen stated that, in contrast to the "sprawling, mixtape and shapeshifting feel" of Notes on a Conditional Form, the album synthesises the band's prior musical influences into a "concise, watertight package". Similarly, Alex Swhear of Variety said the album eschews the band's "untethered" ambition in favour of warm intimacy.

Themes and lyrics

Josh Glicksman of Billboard wrote that the album represents a departure from the band's signature "wry commentary", opting instead for a "more sincere brand of songwriting". Pitchfork writer Brady Brickner-Wood said that by omitting the "thematic discursions and stylistic detours" of the band's prior albums, Being Funny in a Foreign Language allows the album's central theme of love to take "centre stage", stating that the album conveys a message that love holds the ability to alleviate loneliness, reaffirm ones societal belonging, and detach society from excessive screen engagement.

Songs

Being Funny in a Foreign Language opens with "The 1975", an orchestral song characterised by doubled pianos and "billowy" vocals. In the lyrics, Healy addresses the challenges of contemporary existence within the digital epoch, elucidating the experience of encountering targeted advertising, grappling with pharmaceutical dependencies and negotiating political identities. Several reviewers drew comparisons between the song and LCD Soundsystem's "All My Friends".

"Happiness" is a pop song.

"Looking for Somebody (To Love)", a pop, synth-pop and classic rock song, contains "colourful" guitars, "pulsing" synths and "massive" drums.

"Part of the Band" is a folk rock, indie folk and art pop song that draws from chamber pop.

"Oh Caroline" is a pop song with a soft rock groove.

"I'm in Love with You", an upbeat, 1980s-inspired pop song, features an acoustic guitar-driven production and draws influence from disco, synth-pop, electropop, bubblegum pop and sophisti-pop.

The track is followed by the blue-eyed soul piano ballad "All I Need to Hear", a soft, downtempo slow jam. The song's production incorporates elements of traditional pop, country soul, blues, country, jazz, roots and soul music, while Healy's vocals are performed in an R&B style.

"Wintering", the album's eighth track, is a guitar-centric Christmas, folk rock and country pop song that explores elements of heartland rock.

Sung in an R&B style, "Human Too" is a jazz-influenced, downtempo hip hop ballad. It contains lo-fi pianos and a "dusty" electronic production.

"About You" is a Britpop, shoegaze and dream pop song.

"When We Are Together", the album's eleventh and final track, is an acoustic folk rock, country and indie folk song.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Matthew Healy and George Daniel. Co-writers noted below

Sources

• https://read-gem.com/2022/10/14/review-the-1975-being-funny-in-a-foreign-language/
• https://therodeomag.com/2022/10/28/the-1975-also-pretty-funny-in-english/
• https://ramonamag.com/2022/10/the-1975-being-funny-in-a-foreign-language/
• https://www.slugmag.com/music/national-music-reviews/the-1975-being-funny-in-a-foreign-language/
• https://web.archive.org/web/20221014105323/https://www.irishnews.com/arts/2022/10/14/news/albums_the_1975_deliver_on_their_fifth_album_despite_resorting_to_old_tricks-2859041/
• https://www.euphoriazine.com/blog/2022/10/music/albums-the-1975-being-funny-in-a-foreign-language/
• https://www.popmatters.com/the-1975-funny-language-review
• https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/music/2022/10/the-1975-being-funny-in-a-foreign-language-review-lyrics
• https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/05/arts/music/amplifier-newsletter-questionable-christmas-songs.html
• https://relevantmagazine.com/culture/music/heres-seven-christmas-songs-that-are-actually-enjoyable/
• https://readdork.com/news/the-1975-drive-like-i-do-nice-sweater-confirmed/
• https://vmagazine.com/article/vs-new-music-roundup-tove-lo-blink-182-and-more/
• https://holler.country/news/breaking/josiah-and-the-bonnevilles-release-country-version-of-the-1975s-wintering/

References

1. ^ Homewood, Ben (21 September 2022). "The Music Week Interview - The 1975". Music Week. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
2. ^ Schroer, Brendan (18 October 2022). "The 1975 - Being Funny in a Foreign Language". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
3. Gerber, Brady (10 October 2022). "The 1975, Happily Washed". Spin. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
4. ^ Gottlieb, Emily (3 November 2022). "The 1975 - Being Funny in a Foreign Language". Square One Magazine. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
5. ^ Regan, Sara (14 October 2022). "The 1975: Being Funny in a Foreign Language". Ramona Magazine. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
6. ^ Biddles, Claire (14 October 2022). "Being Funny in a Foreign Language finds The 1975 losing touch with their reality". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
7. Hunt, El (10 October 2022). "The 1975 – 'Being Funny In A Foreign Language' review: back to their very best". NME. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
8. ^ Brickner-Wood, Brady (14 October 2022). "Being Funny in a Foreign Language". Pitchfork. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
9. ^ Swhear, Alex (14 October 2022). "The 1975's 'Being Funny in a Foreign Language' Trades Sprawl for Restraint, but Keeps the Band's Rewarding Essence: Album Review". Variety. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
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17. ^ Hunter-Tilney, Ludovic (14 October 2022). "The 1975 embrace their earlier, vibrant sound with Being Funny in a Foreign Language — album review". Financial Times. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
18. Krol, Charlotte (2 September 2022). "The 1975 share 'I'm in Love with You', feature Phoebe Bridgers in video". Rolling Stone UK. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
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20. Garro, Adrian (1 September 2022). "The 1975 Previews 'Being Funny in a Foreign Language' with Irresistible Indie/Pop Anthem, 'I'm In Love With You'". Rock Cellar. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
21. Kennedy, Mark (12 October 2022). "Review: The 1975′s new album is great until it's exceptional". Associated Press. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
22. DeCaro, Alessandro (2 September 2022). "DE'WAYNE, Enumclaw and the 1975 are our tracks of the week". Alternative Press. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
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24. ^ Hyden, Steven (10 October 2022). "The 1975 Have (For Once) Made An Album Where Every Song Is Good". Uproxx. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
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27. Darville, Jordan (21 September 2022). "The 1975 share new song 'All I Need To Hear'". The Fader. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
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29. Degrazia, Leah (22 September 2022). "The 1975 Only Care About One Thing On New Song 'All I Need To Hear'". Genius. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
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35. Sullivan, Kelsey (27 September 2022). "The 1975 Releases Their Earnest and Soothing New Single 'All I Need To Hear'". Soundigest. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
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37. Cite error: The named reference Mellen was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
38. Smyth, David (14 October 2022). "The 1975 - Being Funny in a Foreign Language review: Finally, an album that leaves us wanting more". Evening Standard. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
39. Cragg, Michael (14 October 2022). "The 1975: Being Funny in a Foreign Language review – a surprising but welcome paring back". Variety. Retrieved 4 April 2024.

External links