Being Funny In A Foreign Language
by The 1975
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 71 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 54 out of 71
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 71
  3. Negative: 8 out of 71
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  1. noonebutnoah
    Oct 14, 2022
    3
    I was pretty disappointed by this album as a 1975 fan, it felt very unoriginal and flavorless compared to their other projects, with their sound becoming even more cliche sounding making it feel extremely disingenuous. The only song I found some slight enjoyment in was about you because it’s slow longer length made it seem like some care was put into it.
  2. MCotsalas
    Oct 14, 2022
    6
    I really wanted to like this album more. I was very impressed by Happiness and I'm In Love With You when they were released as singles, but a lot of the songs blend together with their ballad-like sound. It's definitely better than NOACF, which was all over the place and couldn't stick to a cohesive sound or vision, but I can't help but feel a little underwhelmed. As a fan of this band forI really wanted to like this album more. I was very impressed by Happiness and I'm In Love With You when they were released as singles, but a lot of the songs blend together with their ballad-like sound. It's definitely better than NOACF, which was all over the place and couldn't stick to a cohesive sound or vision, but I can't help but feel a little underwhelmed. As a fan of this band for some time, I was looking forward to this album as a return to form but came away feeling like a lot of the songs were the leftovers from I Like It When You Sleep...… Expand
  3. ray32
    Oct 18, 2022
    1
    I was expecting more from this album. I preferably like their debut album in my opinion.
  4. matthewmirliani
    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 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 upliftingOne 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
  5. gobitoe
    Oct 14, 2022
    8
    The singles were pretty great. The rest of the album is okay. I still like the songs, but they are far from topping what they did on A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationship. Some punch is lacking at times.

    On its own, though, it's a pretty nice collection of songs.
  6. petrichor1975
    Apr 4, 2023
    9
    The 1975's previous album, Notes on a Conditional Form, was released in 2020, at the onset of the pandemic. I intended on seeing them that year in concert, but it was obviously cancelled. I was not impressed by "Notes...", and thought it was extremely long and could've been cut in half and still would've been a great album. While there are some great sounds on that album, for me, it is tooThe 1975's previous album, Notes on a Conditional Form, was released in 2020, at the onset of the pandemic. I intended on seeing them that year in concert, but it was obviously cancelled. I was not impressed by "Notes...", and thought it was extremely long and could've been cut in half and still would've been a great album. While there are some great sounds on that album, for me, it is too long and is not cohesive.

    When the group came back online in the spring / summer of 2022 and released the single, "Part of the Band", I was interested to see what new sound Matty and the boys would take on. I was initially unimpressed by the song and wrote off the group like I did for a majority of the songs on "Notes...". However, when "Happiness" and "I'm In Love With You" came out, I was nudged back in their direction. They sounded like themselves again, but that is contradictory to say in itself. The 1975 is a band that explores so many different soundscapes. "Notes..." saw that taken to the nth degree. Nonetheless, as a fan who first fell in love with "I Like It When You Sleep...", I was coming back to them.

    I was, of course, going to check out "Being Funny in a Foreign Language" when it came out. The 1975 are one of my favorite bands of all time. I wouldn't miss an album release from them. After hearing it in full, I was completely back onboard. This is their comeback, in my opinion. "Notes..." was a messy and average collection of songs, but "Being Funny..." is a focused statement.

    It feels like Matty and Co. really sat down and learned from the shortcomings of their previous album. There are some great highlights on this album. "The 1975" features Matty's musings on sincerity, being young, and reflections on today's society. Their classic 80s sound comes through on tracks like "Looking for Somebody (To Love)", "Oh Caroline", and "I'm in Love With You". This is what pulled me into the album. I even came around on "Part of the Band". Album tracks like "About You", "Wintering", and "When We Are Together" just took me away. It convinced me that the album can still make cohesive, focused, and meaningful works of art. I really hope to see them on their tour for this album. It looks amazing.    … Expand
  7. MusicGuyMack
    Oct 25, 2022
    9
    The through-and-through classic 1975 arrangements (despite some welcome baroque pop/New Wave elements mixed in) and lyrics especially won't likely sway any continued naysayers, and the wheelspinning that defined the middling prior "Notes On a Conditional Form" hasn't been entirely done away with, but the reinvigorated feeling and more balanced blend of their classic sound with furtherThe through-and-through classic 1975 arrangements (despite some welcome baroque pop/New Wave elements mixed in) and lyrics especially won't likely sway any continued naysayers, and the wheelspinning that defined the middling prior "Notes On a Conditional Form" hasn't been entirely done away with, but the reinvigorated feeling and more balanced blend of their classic sound with further sonic experimentation brought by Matty Healey and Co. to the record ensures "Being Funny in a Foreign Language" is an infectiously hooky good time and a satisfying return to form for the group.

    Choice Cuts: "Happiness," "Looking for Somebody (To Love)," "Part of the Band," "All I Need to Hear," "Human Too"    … Expand
  8. francofabiof96
    Jan 18, 2023
    10
    this record is a masterpiece, it's perfection, they truly did their thing here.
  9. chiaramanto
    Oct 22, 2022
    8
    not their best album, however it has some of their best tracks like about you and I'm in love with you
  10. nelsonjose1975
    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.    … Expand
  11. softdrinks77
    Oct 14, 2022
    10
    All 11 of the songs on this album hit, including my favourite “About You”. The lyrics alone earn this album a 10.
  12. Mmore
    Oct 17, 2022
    10
    It's a really well condensed product and cohesive. It represents both the essence and the maturity of the band, containing a good amount of songs that can be hits easily.
  13. briangk15
    Oct 15, 2022
    8
    The singles are the highlights, but the album’s conciseness is it’s strength. BFIAFL features some of Marty’s most clever and self aware lyrics, as well as the band’s best melodies. The only song I was left wanting more from is Too Human.
  14. knkmra23
    Oct 16, 2022
    9
    "Being Funny In A Foreign Language" is consistent and self-aware. The simpler and "stripped back" sound throughout the tracks constitutes to what may be their best work to date.
  15. Miguel1003
    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 irony and stops thinking that Sincerity is scary
  16. MrL0G0S
    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.    … Expand
  17. emmarezi
    Nov 13, 2022
    10
    Absolutely no skips on this album! I feel like Jack as a producer was a great choice. The sounds are awesome!
  18. leogarcia132002
    Feb 8, 2023
    8
    The album sounds thoroughly minimalist and there are moments that it explodes vocally, but the sounds are another level.
  19. genhee1217
    Aug 28, 2023
    8
    this album shows ultimate producing ability of matty and george. It has come to be more popular and more comfortable. Although they are not just young rock stars, it is an album that is more attractive to them.

Awards & Rankings

48
#48 Most Discussed Album of 2022

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Slant Magazine
    Oct 17, 2022
    80
    The songs click almost immediately, but they’re subtler and pricklier than a first listen would imply, with unexpected twists like faint spoken-word samples and odd bits of distortion on guitar and piano. And the 1975 uses these textures more tastefully than much of the music that inspired them.
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  2. The Telegraph (UK)
    Oct 14, 2022
    80
    Fifth time around, The 1975 get the equation right: pop first, art later.
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  3. Variety
    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.
    Read full review
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