Released 8 years ago this November
A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships
The 1975 · 2018
58 min · 15 tracks · alternative rock
A playful yet introspective exploration of modern relationships layered over shimmering synths and anthemic melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
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Give Yourself a Try Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Love It If We Made It — The track serves as a bold commentary on contemporary issues such as politics and social media, blending urgency with catchy hooks that exemplify the band's ability to tackle serious themes within engaging pop music.
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It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You) — This song captures the essence of longing while juxtaposing upbeat instrumentation with deeply personal lyrics about addiction and dependence, making it a standout track that encapsulates the album’s emotional core.
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Sincerity Is Scary — With its jazzy undertones and reflective lyrics, this track illustrates the complexities of vulnerability in relationships, showcasing the band's shift towards more mature songwriting and musical diversity.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends energetic and introspective elements, showcasing strong songwriting and production choices.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a spoken-word track that sets a thematic tone, followed by three consecutive upbeat songs that maintain a high energy level.
- Several tracks incorporate unconventional structures, such as 'The Man Who Married a Robot / Love Theme,' which features a narrative interlude.
- The last three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, creating a reflective atmosphere that contrasts with the earlier sections.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady flow with emotional depth
- introspective themes for reflection
- engaging hooks for sing-alongs
- vibrant exploration of modern life
- for late-night drives
Maybe skip if you
- prefer immediate gratification
- seek purely instrumental sound
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Showcases artistic ambition and received critical acclaim, highlighting modern relationships.
- Career context
- Released on November 30, 2018, A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships is The 1975's third album, following their commercially successful I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It. At this stage in their career, the band had solidified their presence in the pop landscape, balancing commercial appeal with artistic experimentation as they delved into themes of love and digital culture.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Chvrches· The Neighbourhood· LANY
Tracklist
- 1 The 1975 1:34
- 2 Give Yourself a Try Start here 3:16
- 3 TOOTIMETOOTIMETOOTIME 3:27
- 4 How to Draw / Petrichor 5:49
- 5 Love It If We Made It 4:12
- 6 Be My Mistake 4:16
- 7 Sincerity Is Scary 3:45
- 8 I Like America & America Likes Me 3:26
- 9 The Man Who Married a Robot / Love Theme 3:33
- 10 Inside Your Mind 3:51
- 11 It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You) 4:08
- 12 Surrounded by Heads and Bodies 3:56
- 13 Mine 4:06
- 14 I Couldn’t Be More in Love 3:52
- 15 I Always Wanna Die (Sometimes) 5:14
What to play next
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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