The third album is the standard-setter.

From OK Computer to The Queen is Dead, the third album is the moment that the legacy of a band is cemented. Succeed, and your work will be remembered for years to come. Fail, and you run the risk of having your older efforts succeed any further endeavor on your part. On their third album, The 1975 have made one thing quite clear: failure is not an option.

On A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships, the Manchester pop rock band pushes the limits of their sound to unfamiliar territories. Across 15 tracks, The 1975 reconstructs their formula from the ground up. Songs soar to higher heights than ever before and plummet to deeper depths than previously imagined. It’s all at once manic, colorful, and, before you know it, gone.

Aesthetics

The 1975 have a very carefully curated style. From their iconic stage designs to their minimalist album covers, each step the band has taken has built a beautiful image. On their newest foray into the world of music, not much has changed. They’re still the same ambitious, larger-than-life band they were on their first album, but it appears that the years have granted their sound a bit of maturity. The album itself is very polished and held together, rarely letting sounds stray from their roots.

Where Aesthetics Work: How to Draw/Petrichor is a mostly instrumental track, but the transition between tracks serves as a great way to break up the first third of the album. Both halves are like sun and moon, equally powerful in their own right but best when they’re together. The outro on Petrichor is particularly noteworthy. It’s a poignant way to end a song that’s been building up for nearly six minutes.

Lyricism

Songs on A Brief Inquiry ebb and flow, going from hard-hitting energetic tracks to quiet and calming acoustic ventures. The lyrics follow suit, covering topics like relationships (duh), drug addiction, and the chaos of living in the 21st century. On songs like Love it if We Made It, you get a sense that they’ve had a lot of time to ponder the world we live in. The band is at their most vulnerable lyrically with outings like I Always Wanna Die (Sometimes), the album’s closer and their strongest lyrical endeavor yet.

Best Lyrics: On Sincerity is Scary, the band juxtaposes carefree instrumentation with anxious lyrics about opening up to someone. Lead singer Matt Healy opens up like never before, lamenting on the difficulty of being your true sincere self while urging listeners to give honesty a try. Sincerity is Scary is another vulnerable addition to an album dedicated to opening up; an already daunting task on its own.

Personality

Communication is the main message of A Brief Inquiry. Oftentimes, when we’re upset with a friend or loved one, we refuse to confront a problem or push it to the side. This lack of communication breeds resentment, which, in turn, can lead to hate. The 1975’s goal on this album is to encourage people to talk to each other in an open and vulnerable state. Vulnerability and honesty help us grow as people. Matt Healy and company are just doing what they can to deliver that message.

Where Personality Shines: Lead vocalist Matt Healy sounds more confident than ever before, serenading listeners on songs like It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You). The twinkling synths and soaring guitars sound like they’d fit right in on a Tears for Fears or Hall & Oates record. Plus, the song is incredibly catchy. It’s one of the few songs you could replay over and over and never grow tired of it.

Versatility

A Brief Inquiry is the first project on The 1975’s Music for Cars series. The title is quite apt, as all of its songs are wonderful for car rides. Whether you’re near the city or in the country, they’re perfect for days where you just want to roll the windows down and sing. They’re infectiously catchy. The best part about these songs is the way you can scream them at the top of your lungs while you’re driving. Pay attention to peoples’ reactions when you do. They’re priceless.

Where to Listen: Get in the car at night and play your favorite songs from this album. With the moon hanging over your head and the stars twinkling in the sky, you’ve got the perfect backdrop for music of this caliber. Whether you’re driving up to a quick stop or you’re seeking solace, let A Brief Inquiry provide the perfect soundtrack. You won’t be disappointed.

Quality

The best part about A Brief Inquiry is that no two songs sound the same. Each builds a little environment for itself, cultivating moods and attitudes throughout. The glossy polish on each track makes each song ring with authority. Background noises and filler sounds are stripped away in favor of minimalist instrumentation; a key weapon in The 1975’s arsenal. Every sound on A Brief Inquiry appears to be intentional. Having said that, some may perceive their style to be a little pretentious. Their big-dreaming lyrics and occasional gospel-inspired choruses can elicit that feeling, but any attention to their lyrics will wash away that feeling of doubt.

Highest Quality: If you had to summarize the entirety of the album up in one song, it would easily be Give Yourself A Try. As soon as the intro ends, it transitions into this song, a fast-paced and upbeat song about self-empowerment and pushing yourself to be the best you. It’s a very fun addition to the band’s repertoire, and it’s bound to be a hit in future live shows. Talk about starting off in style.

Conclusions

A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships serves to cement The 1975’s legacy as a band that’s bound to be around for years to come. It’s able to draw conclusions from the confusion of the world, urging everyone to look around and acknowledge one another. It’s empowering, manic, upbeat, depressing, calming, chaotic, and alive. If 2018 had to be described in an album, A Brief Inquiry would no doubt do the trick. And, as far as third albums go, The 1975 have done more than enough to make their third album their strongest work yet.

Final Score: 9 cryptic tweets/10

Were you fond of The 1975’s latest effort? If so, check out our Top 10 Albums of 2018. You might find something else you like! Want us to review an album? Contact us and let us know! Don’t forget to subscribe to our site for updates on news, reviews, and everything in between!