1975

The 1975 are an English alternative rock and pop group formed in 2002 in Wilmslow, Cheshire, now based in Manchester. The band consists of Matty Healy, Adam Hann, Ross MacDonald and George Daniel. Healy is the lead vocalist, producer, lyricist and rhythm guitarist, Hann is the lead guitarist, MacDonald plays bass, and Daniel is the drummer and producer. The group’s early history begins at secondary school, where the members play together as teenagers.

Early releases and label history

After early attempts to secure a record deal fail, the band’s manager Jamie Oborne forms Dirty Hit Records. The group opens for several major acts and issues a run of EPs in 2012: Facedown, Sex, Music for Cars and IV. Their self-titled debut album follows in 2013 and includes the singles “Sex”, “Chocolate” and “Robbers”.

Albums and chart success

The debut album reaches number 1 in the United Kingdom. Their second album, i like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it, reaches number 1 in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. After touring for that record, the band announces a third album under the working title Music for Cars, then goes on hiatus during 2017.

When they return in 2018, the planned album develops into a wider campaign covering their third and fourth studio albums. A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships is released in 2018, receives widespread critical acclaim and becomes their third UK number 1 album. Notes on a Conditional Form follows and becomes their fourth consecutive UK number 1 album. Their fifth album, Being Funny in a Foreign Language, is released in 2022.

Style

The 1975 are associated with alternative pop, alternative rock, ambient pop, art pop, indie pop and indie rock. Their music also draws on pop rock, synth-pop, R&B, electropop, UK garage, 2-step, ambient, shoegaze, post-punk, post-rock, jazz, soul and gospel. They are noted for lyricism that engages with contemporary subjects and for moving across a wide range of genres.