A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships
by The 1975
  • Record Label: Polydor
  • Release Date: Nov 30, 2018
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 294 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 246 out of 294
  2. Mixed: 24 out of 294
  3. Negative: 24 out of 294
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  1. SchroederRock
    Dec 28, 2018
    5
    "A Brief Inquiry" is a distant departure from the groovy, catchy approach the 1975 took on previous albums that evoked 80s synth pop and at times ascended to excellence that you'd expect to find on Michael Jackson albums. Instead of having songs that can draw you in there seems to be an emphasis on experimentation. That's all great n' all but it makes for a weaker album listening"A Brief Inquiry" is a distant departure from the groovy, catchy approach the 1975 took on previous albums that evoked 80s synth pop and at times ascended to excellence that you'd expect to find on Michael Jackson albums. Instead of having songs that can draw you in there seems to be an emphasis on experimentation. That's all great n' all but it makes for a weaker album listening experience. There are a few tracks that feel like more vintage 1975 but I get the feeling that this band is going to start losing more fans as they age. They're the anti-Maroon 5 now and if this is what they're going to be dishing out on future albums then consider me an ex-fan. It's a shame.… Expand
  2. MrMemeister
    Dec 12, 2018
    6
    English pop rock stars The 1975 return after a successful 2016 sophomore album with their most ambitious and acclaimed project yet, "A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships". On "A Brief Inquiry", The 1975 continue exploring the themes of love and romance in the Age of Information from their previous two studio efforts, with additional focus on issues such as drug abuse and politicalEnglish pop rock stars The 1975 return after a successful 2016 sophomore album with their most ambitious and acclaimed project yet, "A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships". On "A Brief Inquiry", The 1975 continue exploring the themes of love and romance in the Age of Information from their previous two studio efforts, with additional focus on issues such as drug abuse and political turmoil mixed in. Whether singing about emotional detachment on the jazzy "Sincerity Is Scary", or his heroin addiction on the 80's rock influenced "It's Not Living", front man Matt Healy's vocals exude emotion throughout, even with some cringe-inducing lyrics. The production, on the other hand, often sounds too smoothed out and forgettable, with the sanitized piano and stings of "Be My Mistake" and ear-piercing guitar loop on "Give Yourself a Try" being particular low points. Even with that, though, "A Brief Inquiry" is still an above average pop album that periodically misses its mark.
    Favorites: "How To Draw / Petrichor", "Love It If We Made It", "Sincerity Is Scary", "It's Not Living", "I Always Wanna Die"
    Least Favorites: "Give Yourself a Try", "I Like America & America Likes Me", "Inside Your Mind"    … Expand
  3. spenceryang8
    Feb 3, 2019
    6
    A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships is bolder in theme and aesthetic than The 1975's previous albums, but not all of the band's risks pan out.

    FAV TRACKS: LOVE IT IF WE MADE IT, SINCERITY IS SCARY, INSIDE YOUR MIND, IT'S NOT LIVING (IF IT'S NOT WITH YOU), I ALWAYS WANNA DIE (SOMETIMES)

    LEAST FAV TRACK: I LIKE AMERICA & AMERICA LIKES ME

Awards & Rankings

38
#38 Most Discussed Album of 2018

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 29
  3. Negative: 1 out of 29
  1. PopMatters
    Jan 14, 2019
    50
    Even as only the first half of a delayed double album, A Brief Inquiry already feels like a classically bloated example of the form.
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  2. Uncut
    Jan 2, 2019
    70
    Multidimensional. ... This rotating playlist of styles and sincerity will rankle with some--it's very earnest about addiction, love and our internet selves--but rather that than banal conformity. [Feb 2019, p.23]
  3. Under The Radar
    Dec 17, 2018
    85
    You may feel the urge to dismiss them as pretentious or pompous, but if you can resist that impulse, A Brief Inquiry... soon reveals itself to be full of genuine heart, intelligence and wit. This is a band who want to be the best of their generation. They might not be there yet, but it is incredible to hear them come close.
    Read full review
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