| Facedown | ||||
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| Released | 6 August 2012 | |||
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| Length | 14:13 | |||
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| The 1975 chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Facedown | ||||
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Facedown is the debut extended play (EP) by English band the 1975. It was released on 6 August 2012 by Dirty Hit and Interscope. The band produced the EP alongside Jamie Ellis and Ian Grimble. An art rock, indie pop and ambient pop record, it incorporates a diverse range of sounds including indie rock, electronica, dance-pop, gothic and emo.
In January 2012, the 1975 was formed by lead singer Matty Healy, drummer George Daniel, guitarist Adam Hann and bassist Ross MacDonald, who had played music together since 2002. After being rejected by all major record labels, artist manager Jamie Osborne discovered the band and signed them to his label Dirty Hit. [1] [2] The 1975 began a process of releasing three extended plays (EP) leading to their debut album. [3]
Musically, Facedown is composed in the styles of art rock, indie pop and ambient pop, [4] which Bevis Man of DIY described as "sitting somewhere between the bleak art rock of Joy Division and the indie-pop that might well find its way onto the playlists of mainstream radio". [5] The EP opens with the ballad "Facedown", an ambient torch song. [6] [7] Its production contains "angelic" whispers, twinkling chimes, [8] "icy" and "wintry" bells, fragmented drum beats, a "shadowy" synth line, [6] swirling and "shimmering" ambient guitars, "gloomy" vocals, pianos and low, "patient" and "synth-heavy" harmonics. [4] [5] [7] Man said the track "echoes of the wintry feel" of Sigur Rós, [5] while Jared Cohen of The Journal described the song as "Bon Iver on synths", stating it is evocative of the xx and M83. [4] The following track, "The City", is an upbeat indie rock, electronica and dance-pop song. [5] [4] [9] Composed of "maxed out" drum machines, "buzzing" keyboards and gated percussion, the track's lyrics revolve around the theme of urban loneliness, with Healy singing: "If you wanna find love then you know where the city is". [5] [7] [9] Ian Cohen of Pitchfork said the song "confidently [thumps] like the best Big Pink singles do", [7] while American Songwriter 's Robert Crawford remarked that it "sounded like anthemic British indie-rock filtered through the neon disco ball of M83's dance-pop". [9]
The third song on Facedown, "Antichrist", was described by Crawford as dark and stoic, [9] a sentiment echoed by Tom Connick of NME , who deemed it "doomy, gloomy and powerful". [10] Containing gothic influences, [10] Consequence 's Samantha Small said the track's production was akin to "the rise and fall of a wave", built on a hard, "crashing" drum beat, synths, [11] "glittering" guitars and a "powerful" synth organ. [4] [6] Thematically, the song focuses on topics such as such as atheism, enlightenment and the singer's relationship with his mother. [11] [12] The lyrics, which the Alternative Press staff opined "read like a poem", are composed entirely by Healy and discuss his inability to believe in "in something he cannot see", instead choosing to believe in love, singing: "Well, criminals and liars, keep him in your cell as a privilege of mine / Well, I love the house that we live in, I love you all too much". [13] [12] The EP's fourth and final song, "Woman", is a downbeat, quiet and stripped-back ballad. [5] [4] A torch song, [7] its production is devoid of drums, consisting of merely Healy's vocals, "moody" soundscapes, atmospheric synths, simple, "gently" chiming guitar reverb and emo melodies. [5] [4] [9] Lyrically, the song recounts an experience Healy had with a prostitute in Belfast when he was 17 years old, singing that he "fell in love with [her] a little bit" but did not solicit her services. [12] [6]
Upon release, Facedown received generally mixed reviews from contemporary music critics, who praised the EP's stylistic diversity but described it as "schizophrenic" and failing to define the 1975's musical identity. [9] [14] Awarding the EP a score of 6.2-out-of-10, Ian Cohen deemed "The City" a highlight and praised the 1975's theatrics. However, the reviewer was critical of the record's uneven presentation and over-reliance on torch songs, ultimately calling it "a muddle, but a promising one". [7] Man gave Facedown three-out-of-five stars, calling it "an inconsistent if beguiling listen" that is ultimately "an effort worth celebrating". He gave specific praise to "Antichrist", stating it contains a sense of urgency and direction not present on the record's other tracks, while criticising the lack of a cohesive sound. [5] In his four-out-of-five star review, Jared Cohen viewed the EP's lack of cohesion in a positive light, stating it showcased the band's ability to produce a variety of styles. He praised the songwriting and production value, declaring it "a beautiful little EP". [4]
Facedown was released on 6 August 2012 by Dirty Hit and Interscope. [15] [16] On 9 August, "The City" was released as the EP's lead single. [17] To promote the record, the 1975 released a series of black and white music videos directed by James Booth. Working with Booth, the band sought to create simplistic videos on a "really tiny budget" that worked together to form a series, seeking to compliment the EP as a whole. Speaking on their collaboration, Booth said the 1975 "really care about their aesthetic and see their videos as an important part of this". [18] "Facedown" was released on 23 June 2012 as the first visual. [19] "The City", released on 18 July. [20]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Facedown" |
| 2:49 | |
| 2. | "The City" |
|
| 3:41 |
| 3. | "Antichrist" | Healy |
| 4:43 |
| 4. | "Woman" | Healy | The 1975 | 3:02 |
| Total length: | 14:13 | |||
M83 are a French electronic music group formed in Antibes in 1999. Initially the duo of multi-instrumentalists Nicolas Fromageau and Anthony Gonzalez, Fromageau parted ways shortly after touring for their second album Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts. Gonzalez remains the sole constant member of the project, as the primary songwriter and lead vocalist.
The 1975 is an English pop rock band formed in Wilmslow, Cheshire in 2002. The band consists of Matty Healy, Adam Hann, Ross MacDonald (bass), and George Daniel. The name of the band was inspired by a page of scribblings found in Healy's copy of On the Road by Jack Kerouac that was dated "1 June, The 1975".
Sex is the second extended play (EP) by English band the 1975. It was released on 19 November 2012 by Dirty Hit. A modified version was released in the US on 1 January 2013 by Dirty Hit and Polydor Records. The band produced the EP alongside Michael Coles, Robert Coles and Mike Crossey. They drew musical inspiration from Sigur Rós, Brian Eno and filmmaker John Hughes while thematically focusing on the passage of time. Prior to the record's debut, a music video for "Sex" was released.
"Chocolate" is a song by English rock band the 1975. The song was originally recorded by the band for their third extended play, Music for Cars, where it appears as the second track, and later appeared as the fourth track on their self-titled debut.
Music for Cars is the third extended play (EP) by English band The 1975, released on 4 March 2013 by Dirty Hit, Polydor Records and Vagrant Records. Development of the record began after the band completed their eponymous debut album. Working with producer Mike Crossey, the 1975 created "Chocolate" during the album's recording sessions before building the other tracks of the EP around the song. The band sought to create a cohesive concept for the record, primarily producing the remaining four songs by themselves in the bedroom of singer Healy at Rose Cottage in Cheshire.
"The City" is the debut single by English rock band The 1975, released in 2012. The song was originally recorded for their debut extended play Facedown, with a re-recorded version later appearing on their fourth extended play IV and as the second track on their self-titled debut. It was re-released as a single in 2013 in the form of a re-recorded version which peaked at number 30 on the UK Singles Chart and number 27 on the Scottish Singles Chart. The song also featured in the game FIFA 14.
The 1975 is the self-titled debut studio album by English band the 1975. It was released on 2 September 2013 through Dirty Hit and Polydor. It was produced by band members Matty Healy and George Daniel together with Mike Crossey.
"Sex" is a song by English band the 1975 from their second extended play (EP) of the same name (2012) and eponymous debut studio album (2013). The song was written by band members George Daniel, Matty Healy, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald. The band co-produced the EP version of the song with Michael and Robert Coles, while Mike Crossey provided additional production. The album version, produced by Crossey and the band, was released as the lead single on 23 August 2013 by Dirty Hit, Polydor Records and Vagrant Records. Written at the age of 19, Healy said the song represents a love letter to prudish teenage girls.
"The Sound" is a song by English band the 1975 from their second studio album, I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It (2016). It was written by band members Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann, and Ross MacDonald. Mike Crossey handled the production alongside Daniel and Healy. The London Community Gospel Choir provide the song's choir vocals. The song was released on 19 February 2016 by Dirty Hit and Polydor Records as the fourth single from the album. Inspired by the pop albums of his youth, Healy sought to channel the memorable melodies from them and create an "unabashed" pop song. Healy first presented the song to One Direction, who declined, so the band decided to record it.
"She's American" is a song by English band the 1975 from their second studio album, I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It (2016). The song was written by Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald. Mike Crossey handled the production alongside Daniel and Healy. The song was released on 4 November 2016 by Dirty Hit and Polydor Records as the sixth single from the album. Healy was inspired by the interplay between the British and Americans, creating a tongue-in-cheek song about the subtleties involved in a British rockstar courting an American woman. Containing a 1980s-style beat, futuristic synths and a saxophone solo, it is a retro funk, pop and synth-pop song with elements of disco, yacht rock and synth-funk.
"A Change of Heart" is a song by English band the 1975 from their second studio album, I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It (2016). The song was written by Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald. Mike Crossey handled the production alongside Daniel and Healy. The song was released on 22 February 2016 by Dirty Hit and Polydor Records as the fifth single from the album. A synth-pop and electropop power ballad, the song features 808 beats, a portamento keyboard riff, pulsing synthesisers and elements of ambient pop, electro, new wave, yacht rock, chillwave and indie rock. The song's melancholic lyrics describe falling out of love and detail the end of a romance, focusing on the theme of technology.
"Ugh!" is a song by English band the 1975 from their second studio album, I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It (2016). The song was written by Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald. Mike Crossey handled the production alongside Daniel and Healy. The song was released on 10 December 2015 by Dirty Hit and Polydor Records as the second single from the album. The band's obsession with syncopation and rhythm drove the song's creation, while Healy explained the lyrics are about coming down from cocaine, drug-fuelled conversations and social interactions.
Amber Mary Bain, known professionally as the Japanese House, is an English indie pop musician from Buckinghamshire. Bain contributes vocals and plays guitar, synthesizer and keyboard for her music. Bain decided to pursue a career in music as a teenager. She began writing music under the moniker The Japanese House in 2012, after being introduced to Matty Healy of the 1975, who offered to help produce her music under the label Dirty Hit. She first rose to prominence after the release of her first single, "Still", which was a critical success and premiered on BBC Radio 1.
A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships is the third studio album by English band the 1975. It was released on 30 November 2018 by Dirty Hit and Polydor Records. Initially titled Music for Cars, the album was intended as the follow-up to I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It (2016). The term later denoted an era encompassing both their third album and Notes on a Conditional Form, released in 2020. The band halted recording of the first part after lead singer Matty Healy left for a drug rehabilitation clinic in Barbados, seeking treatment for his heroin addiction. Following the singer's return, the band spent several months completing the album in Northamptonshire and Los Angeles.
"Television Romance" is a song by the English indie pop band Pale Waves, released on 16 August 2017 to promote their debut album, My Mind Makes Noises (2018). The song, written by Heather Baron-Gracie and Ciara Doran and produced by Matty Healy and George Daniel of the 1975, was inspired by an incident in which Baron-Gracie had to bluntly rebuff a hopeful suitor who was oblivious to her disinterest. The band also released a video for the song; directed by Healy and Samuel Burgess-Johnson, it features the band performing the song in a Manchester flat.
"Give Yourself a Try" is a song by English band the 1975 from their third studio album, A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships (2018). The song was written by band members Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald, while Daniel and Healy handled the production. It was released on 31 May 2018 by Dirty Hit and Polydor Records as the lead single from the album. The band was inspired by the works of Joy Division, specifically their track "Disorder", which Healy said stemmed from both acts originating from Macclesfield. He wrote the song using a mix of autobiographical and fictional elements, wanting to capture the health and social anxiety experienced by millennials.
Notes on a Conditional Form is the fourth studio album by English band the 1975. It was released on 22 May 2020 by Dirty Hit and Polydor Records. Initially titled Music for Cars, the album was intended as the follow-up to I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It (2016). It later came to denote an era spanning two albums. The first, A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships, was released in November 2018. The band recorded much of the second album in London, Los Angeles, Sydney, Northamptonshire and in a mobile studio on their tour bus. The album faced several delays and was submitted only weeks before the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
"Frail State of Mind" is a song by English band the 1975. It was released on 24 October 2019 through Dirty Hit and Polydor Records as the second single, following "People" (2019), from their fourth studio album, Notes on a Conditional Form (2020). It was written by band members Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald, while Daniel and Healy were responsible for the song's production. "Frail State of Mind" is an experimental UK garage and electronica ballad. Its ambient production is composed of a brisk dubstep beat, a heavy, shuffling drum line, cascading synths, chopped vocal melodies, and influences from a variety of electronic, modern rock, and electronic dance music subgenres. Lyrically, the single revolves around Healy's social anxiety and the themes of depression, fear, apprehensiveness, disappointment, insecurity, and anti-social behaviour.
"Milk" is a song by English band the 1975, originally included as a hidden track on the band's second extended play (EP), Sex (2012). The song was written by Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald. The 1975 produced it alongside Michael and Robert Coles. In 2013, the song served as the B-side on a limited edition 7-inch vinyl single for the Neighbourhood's "No Grey". A remastered version of the song was released as a standalone track on 6 October 2017.
Samuel Burgess-Johnson is an English art director, graphic designer and photographer based in Los Angeles, known for working with musical artists such as The 1975, Tove Lo, Wolf Alice and No Rome.