“Jesus save us. Modernity has failed us.” – Love It if We Made It
The third full-length album of The 1975 called A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships is extremely introspective and at the same time very observational of wider societal beliefs and trends. Lead-singer and a principal songwriter Matt Healy is keenly aware of the current temperature of public discourse, often quoting and unpacking the significance of comments by influential leaders. Though written from an atheistic perspective, Christian millennials may find this album helpful in identifying the common challenges of their generation, particularly around authenticity and love.
A large theme of the album is contemporary romantic love. Songs such as TOOTIMETOOTIMETOOTIME explore how online culture can make cheating easier in relationships, and the hurt unfaithful in relationships to occur. The Man Who Married A Robot/Love Theme is another song that reflects on the relationship individuals develop with the internet, often using it to replace authentic interpersonal relationships with other humans. Mine is a jazz ballad that tells the story of a man who is not willing or able to commit to the love of his life and get married. And Inside your mind, wonders morbidly what it would be needed to see inside a lover’s mind.
The 1975 are not afraid to engage controversial topics and even critique humanities temptation to polarize and stop listening to others in Love It if We Made It. And I Like America & America Likes Me presents a stream of consciousness with an anxiety towards guns and violence. Matt Healy doesn’t just explore other people’s problem’s but looks into his own life as well with several songs about his struggle with heroin. I Couldn’t Be More In Love, with it’s incredibly raw vocals, was written about The 1975’s fans and recorded the day before he entered rehab. It’s not Worth Living (If It’s Not With You) probes his relationship to heroin and Surrounded by Heads and Bodies explores his relationship with someone during rehab.
Hope is difficult to find in this album though there are momentary glimpses. In an interview for Genius.com about the song Love It if We Made It, particularly the line: “Jesus save us, Modernity has failed us”, Matt Healy says: “I want salvation just as much as the next person. I envy the faithful. If there is anybody has actually got some good evidence on all this god-s***, give it to me. ‘cause now is the time. I will eat it up.” Christians and Matt Healy may disagree on where to place our hope but there can be agreement that there is significant suffering and injustice in the world and humanity needs help.