At 6 words ‘Jesus Christ 2005 God Bless America’ is the longest song title off the newest 1975 album Notes on a conditional form so far, that’s not needed information or even a critique of the song, but it was my first thought when listening to this minimal acoustic ballad, coming after a further delay to their much hyped new release.
While People felt like a refreshing change into a punkier, noisier direction this seems to have been a flash in the pan with new singles such as Birthday Party and Frail State of Mind doing little to evolve the format of dreamy synths and clean guitar over repetitive drums seen since the debut and while a minor change You and Me Together Song’s repetitive guitar holds little interest after the 2 minute mark. This is not to say I hate these songs, I like the 1975 and much like Taylor Swift I listen to everything they make, its cute, inoffensive pop no matter how much front man Healy postulates the band’s importance to the world.
Jesus Christ 2005 God Bless America really does not feel any different than anything they have made before. Production is up to its usual standard like all of the 1975’s output but the track itself does not grab me. The lyrics, sung by Matt Healy and guest Phoebe Bridgers, are performed in styles typical of the two singers the guitar is clean and clinical with brass motifs lathered throughout its 4:24 runtime, there is fundamentally nothing wrong with this song. But I don’t like it.
Like everything else they have brought out this year it’s cute, inoffensive and safe and I have come to terms with that. but I want to be surprised, or at least having fun while listening to them, embracing the pop styling of songs such as the so far unreleased If You’re Too Shy (Let me know) as I can at least jump around to that rather than ultimately having the listening equivalent of shopping for clothes at Uniqlo. It works, but as Marie Kondo would say this does not bring me joy.
Still hyped for the album.
