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Being Funny In A Foreign Language Image
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 16 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 71 Ratings

  • Summary: The fifth full-length studio release for British rock band The 1975 was produced with Jack Antonoff.
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 16
  2. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Oct 12, 2022
    100
    Being Funny... serves not only as a reflective and refined record, but a showcase of The 1975's almighty journey to their peak, and how much they still have to offer.
  2. Oct 14, 2022
    82
    Healy has smartly introduced a measure of restraint, but it wouldn’t be a 1975 album without his idiosyncratic discursions; these songs, sturdy melodic creations at their core, are all the better for it.
  3. 80
    Combining the band’s slightly sidelined knack for writing huge, immediately memorable pop bangers with the more complex, neurotic lyrical voice of The 1975’s more recent releases, ‘Being Funny In A Foreign Language’ feels like the right next step after pushing experimental excess to its logical conclusion.
  4. Oct 13, 2022
    80
    With Being Funny In A Foreign Language, they reassert themselves at the forefront of 2020s pop-rock, fusing together the textures and musical ideas of soft-rock hits from three decades ago with modern sensibilities in a way that sounds instantly familiar, yet distinctively of-the-moment.
  5. Oct 14, 2022
    80
    Fifth time around, The 1975 get the equation right: pop first, art later.
  6. Oct 14, 2022
    70
    Perhaps, but there do seem to be less of them these days, and Being Funny In A Foreign Language represents a gradual, encouraging maturation for the band.
  7. 50
    Although the songs are largely solid, there’s a recurring sense of deja vu. ... Being Funny in a Foreign Language sees The 1975 lose touch with the reality they are usually so skilled at reflecting. Ever one to over-intellectualise, Healy is wrapped up in so many repeating layers of fame and meaning and memes and buzzwords that any real meaning is out of reach.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 19
  2. Negative: 2 out of 19
  1. Oct 15, 2022
    10
    Impressive improvement after notes on a conditional form, being funny shows a way more sincere and open Matty Healy who gets away from ironyImpressive improvement after notes on a conditional form, being funny shows a way more sincere and open Matty Healy who gets away from irony and stops thinking that Sincerity is scary Expand
  2. Oct 30, 2022
    10
    One of the most “complete” albums I’ve heard. It’s mostly steeped in 80s New Wave nostalgia but impressively incorporates a misty folksinessOne of the most “complete” albums I’ve heard. It’s mostly steeped in 80s New Wave nostalgia but impressively incorporates a misty folksiness reminiscent of Bob Dylan, Bon Iver, Phoebe Bridgers, and Folklore Swift. Its somber New Wave elements and raw acoustic grit make it an appropriately autumnal record - but it’s not all gray skies — there’s some sun injected into a few of the uplifting tracks which help keep the album a balanced and satisfying meal. Midway through there’s even some hints of mid-2000s JT/Maroon 5. Expand
  3. Jan 18, 2023
    10
    this record is a masterpiece, it's perfection, they truly did their thing here.
  4. Oct 14, 2022
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. El álbum más maduro y completo hasta la fecha de la banda.
    Excelente trabajo por parte de Jack Antonoff.
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  5. Feb 8, 2023
    8
    The album sounds thoroughly minimalist and there are moments that it explodes vocally, but the sounds are another level.
  6. Oct 16, 2022
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This album is delicious sonically and songwritting its pretty good.

    I'd like to mention Happiness, Oh Caroline, About You (very U2-ish sound) and All I Need to Hear as the highlights of this album. Songs like Human Too or LFS(TL) have some good elements yet I feel like they lacked something. All I Need to Hear for me is the best song in the album, instant classic.

    I also enjoyed the guitar work especially the overdubs featured very subtly during certain parts of the album (Like in 'About You' ending) and also the trumpets ensamble parts give it a very classy touch which I enjoyed massively. Drum sound is very warm and the bass line in Happiness is very well done.

    Overall good album, I liked it with the exceptions of a few weak songs but the peaks of the album are high so that's why I give it an 8.
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  7. Oct 18, 2022
    1
    I was expecting more from this album. I preferably like their debut album in my opinion.

See all 19 User Reviews