Music video

analyse 2

THE 1975The 1975 are an English rock band originating from Manchester, consisting of

guitarist Matthew "Matty“ Healy, Adam Hann, bassist Ross MacDonald, Adam

Hann, bassist Ross MacDonald, and drummer George Daniel. They

have released four EPs and two albums. Their self-titled debut was

released on 2 September 2013 through Dirty Hit and Polydor, topping

the UK Albums Chart on 8 September. Their second album I like it

when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it was

released on 26 February 2016, topping both the UK Chart and the US

Billboard 200. In 2017 the band won the Brit Award for Best British

Group. For the band to achieve airplay on British radios, the band had

to release their music throughout media formats like YouTube and

Spotify, resulting in Radio one playing hit song ‘The City’ as part of the

introducing show with Huw Stephens in August 2012.

Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics. (e.g.

stage performance in metal videos, dance routine for

boy/girl band, aspiration in Hip Hop).LightingIn the video for ‘The Sound’, the lighting is solely Uv lighting to create a pink tint over the band and reflection

to the camera and studio lights to illuminate the scene and make the shot match the Indie rock music genre.

The main lighting colours are simple white lights that brighten the box shot in and pink flash lights that add

colour to each shot and match the pink microphones and express the level of femininity that the song is

telling the audience watching the video- the pink lighting also breaks up the minimalistic set up in the video

as it breaks up the monochrome theme. The fact a colour like pink is featured in the video as a main focus

breaks the bands typical theme of just having black and white through therefore the video has a significant to

the songs meaning and gives a new side of The 1975 Throughout the video the lighting becomes much

brighter as it highlights each of the individuals face to give each member of the band an identity but also

indicate who is the lead singer in the all male band (Matt Healy) by using high key lighting to accentuate his

face and make it easier to acknowledge that he will be the focal point of the band, video and music. The

uniqueness of the colour choices visually represents a new side of indie rock music that the 1975 are

introducing to the music industry and stimulates the audience to continue watching the video and indulgence

in more of the bands music through the videos.

PerformanceThe video is a narrative play on classic silent French films with every scene being interrupted with a pink

block that has writing on it, each text used in the scene is a comment or phrased used to offended or act as a

insult for internet trolls so the band and director have used a variety of the comments for comedic value to

show that the band do not care about what other things therefore are handling the dislike with no strain on

them. This reflects the boys personalities and opinion on what other people think therefore would rather

continue what they enjoy doing without letting things distract from their desire to make music and life in every

moment. This type of video conforms to the indie genre as it stick to more monochrome and basic colour

schemes that add effect without distracting from the underline story being shown throughout the video- whilst

watching the video clear similarities to artists/bands like The Artic Monkeys which may subconsciously

makes you feel as though you watching that kind of band therefore the audience may invest more time watch

other videos and listen to more of The 1975 songs.

Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics. (e.g.

stage performance in metal videos, dance routine for

boy/girl band, aspiration in Hip Hop).

EditingThe editing of the video is simplistic and minimalistic with only slow cuts between each scene to remain

within the short film genre that is being set up as part of the theme. Fast pace editing is used as the

chorus approaches to indicate the songs peak where is fast pace transition between each member of the

band as they play the guitar, drugs and sing to add effect. By doing this it gives a visual idea of what the

eyes should be focusing on so that the videos meaning and motive is being absorbed and appreciated

by the audience due to the fact the band are known for making their videos a piece of videography art

that has important messages behind each aspect of the shot. The video appears to be like a montage of

videos taken at a festival, gig or art show due to the location and editing which represents the 1975s

music style and give a direct interpretation to how they want to present the song ‘The Sound’.

CameraThe camera work in this video varieties from close up shots to give each member of The 1975 a shot in

which they are the main focus and long shots in the first and last section of the video to show the box

inside the box concept set up for their videos and as the room fills with a faux audience. Although the

video features multiply blocks of colours with writing on it, the video appears to look like it is a one shot

that is catching every aspect from the audiences facial expressions, the musical equipment, the band

and the lighting changes adding uniqueness to the video and reflecting the originality of the bands ideas

and musical preference. A pan shot is also used which conforms to other music videos made by artists

who describe their music as ‘rock pop indie’ because it makes the video look as though it is progressing

with the song.

Music videos demonstrate genre

characteristics. (e.g. stage

performance in metal videos, dance

routine for boy/girl band, aspiration

in Hip Hop).Style/appearanceThe 1975 is a band made of 4- Matty Healy, Adam Hann, Ross

MacDonald and George Daniel meaning that each of the men's styles are

individual to themselves meaning that the band convey several styles in

one adding diversity from other groups involved in the music industry.

Healy tends to wear more expressive outfits that don’t really fit into a

specific trend or gender but more futuristic and unique to his personality

and beliefs as he doesn’t believe in things being made to feel as though

they are for either gender but instead everyone can do things without

labels therefore in close up shots of himself as the lead singer he is seen

wearing heavy black eyeliner around the eyes with a glitter pigment to

accentuate the make up he is wearing representing the creativity he has

and care free attitude. MacDonald, Hann and Daniel have their hair styled

uniquely to their personal style and preference with each of the men

wearing all black leather and denim combinations matching the mainly

monochrome theme from the black room, white lighting and guitar being

black and white. The fact each of the boys is dressed in solely black

signifies the idea of them being the darkness in the white acting as the

dangerous and sinister whereas the ‘audience’ are dressed in all whites

reflecting the idea of those being innocent, pure and the higher archery

relating to the fact they are being represented as the people making the

comments which gives the impression that although they are ‘segregated’

by colour clothing and the box dividing them that they are equal in their

acts, therefore playing on the idea of equality through the fashion theme.

There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals.

The lyrics are represented with images. (either

illustrative, amplifying, contradicting).

“I know the sound of your heart”- Healy is seen in a close up show of just him moving along to each beat of the song as it

progresses and the drums takes the solo accompanying the lyrics being sung, furthermore in an extreme close up Matt

Healy’s fist is banging along on the glass box mimicking the drum as it is hit making the noise.

“Sound of your heart”- The zooms in and out as though it is impersonating a heart as it beats in a rhythm linking to the

idea that a persons heart beat has become a tell of that person as they fall in love- contradicting the idea of a love song having

to be romantic and fairy-tale like which is what they bands is known for as they release songs that can be interpreted in

different ways based on each persons understand of the song. The band are seen dancing along with the song in a sequence

in fast pace close ups creating the idea that they are feeling the movements the camera is making as well.

“Don’t tell that you don’t just get it but I know you do”- As that line the line I sung, Healy (the lead singer) puts

emphasis on the noun phrase ‘I know you do’ by singing them directly into the microphone with a stern facial expression,

rolling his eyes and creating a hand gesture to act up to the strong message he is saying. A close up shot allows a visual idea

to the importance of the particular line.

“Its just all me”- Healy points to himself and looks directly at the camera illustrating the idea that he is making a direct dig at

certain people therefore looking into the camera is addressing those who have relation to the song but also create level of

closeness and equality with the audience.

“There’s so much skin to see”- As the line is sung, the video goes from Healy singing into the microphone in a extreme

close up to a mid shot of 3 people watching them all dressed in white however one of the men is wearing a white vest

revealing a lot of skin- which conforms to the idea of nudity and revealing outfits as this person isn't wearing any kind of cover,

making a play on words seen.

“I don’t regret it”- A close up of shot Healy biting his lip and making his eyes rotate left and right several times contradicting

the idea of him not regretting what has been said or done as they are tell signs of anxiety and regret for an action as a

member of the audience mouths something to him that doesn’t appear to be very complimentary.

There is a relationship between music and visuals.

The tone and atmosphere of the visual reflects that of

the music. (either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting). Throughout the video the relationship between both the music and the visual linking to the tone and

atmosphere is evident. The mise-en-scene play a critical part in a video as it gives a visual indicate on the

artist music and style from the start to the end and is a convention all music videos feature despite

musical differences in style- the fact the concept behind the video is simplistic with a box, spotlights and a

crowd adds to the indie genre that the 1975 boys conform too. Mise-en-scene creates tone and

atmosphere as it highlights the conventional style the artist or this example band plays in relation to their

musical genre therefore it is important every aspect reciprocates what is being visually shown through the

videography. The theme of pink seems to be a concept continued throughout from the pink lightings in the

back of the frame consistently to break the black room, complimenting the bright white spotlights of the

squares, signifying a feminine fun side with the pop of colour to the faded message placed in the video

every 55 seconds that contains a comment that should offend yet it seems to be added deliberately for

comedic purposes to show a care free side to the band. The video has a equal split between close ups of

Matt lip syncing to the song, each member of the band playing their main instrument- showing that they

have a unique difference between other band in the industry as they have the ability to create their own

sounds without digital input or help which has become a rarity in this generation of music, and the

‘audience’ of haters how are making the comments seen on the pink notice board that overlap as part of

main editing. The close ups of the band show their musical talent and the visual shots of Matt become

absorbed in the song as it progresses gives the audience the reassurance that for this band their passion

for the sounds they create is what they want their audience and fan base acknowledge therefore Matt is

visually projecting his love of sound creating a symbolic connection from watching the video. The editing

for the video confirms the high bass and emotive tempo of the sound therefore the visuals reflect the tone

and atmosphere. With every cut made showing each member of the band individually allowing the

audience to establish what each of the men do to make the bands music the way it is therefore helping the

consumer to appreciate the talent the band share. Several of the main cuts featured are shot reverse

shots between the audience and the band creating the look as though an explicit conversation is being

spoken one sided whilst the other side (The 1975) are ignoring the negativity and embracing their moment

with the music giving the audience the impression the band don’t expect everyone to like them as they

aren’t fazed however they aren’t in it for those people they are making more music out of pure passion

making those watching respect them.

The demands of the record label will include the need for

lots of close ups of the artistand the artist may develop

motifs which recur across their work (a visual style). The record labels demand in this video can be acknowledged through simple traits that

compliment the song style based on the codes and conventions set out for music videos alike,

but also give the audience to ability to visually interpret an opinion of the artist so they can

decide if the sound they are listening to and the visuals they are viewing are what is their

preference. The 1975 are one indie rock pop bands that have gains mainstream popularity in

recent years due to the music features in films and television shows therefore the record label

making the band grow in interest is critical therefore the demand becomes more intense- the

close ups on each member from the drummers to lead singer Matt who is the most popular of the

band through features in magazines like the Rolling Stones, allows each of them the chance to

gain the reputation and status in the band however, the frequent close ups of Matt singing and

acting along with the music gives the indication that because he is perceived as the head of the

band, he therefore should have the most screen time to represent the band to men and women

alike. The unique lighting and concept help to conform to the idea that indie bands, especially

solely male, use their videos for themselves and are more care free and original with their ideas.

The motif in this video represents The 1975s style both musically and visually as they are

consistent in having a narrative storyline in each of the videos they have released; each of the

music videos have a clear storyline that tend to have strong relation to what the lyrics are saying/

what the meaning is giving it a short film viewing rather than a music video promoting the song.

The storyline give a extra impression of the band- and because each of the video stories overlap

giving a clear motif between each video made. Furthermore, each of the video in any segment

features a solely monochrome colour scheme from the outfits wore to the lightings which has

become a common theme for the band from the bands creation and because of the fact it has

become a tradition the audience come to expect it therefore when the ‘Sound’ video was

released with pink as a main lighting it gave the audience the idea that a new side of the band

was being shown adding extra attention as it is a different for them as artists and visual creators.

There is frequent reference to notion of looking (screens

within screens, mirrors, stages, etc) and particularly voyeuristic

treatment of the female bodyThe notion of look is evident in this video through a series of close ups of lead singer Matt Healy choosing to engage in

eye contact with the screen. The intense eye contact that Healy shares communicates the idea that the music is

connecting you and the band metaphorically, representing the shared connect through the lyrical meaning and style of the

song. Eye contact is maintained consistently in a few shots of Healy individually however he is seen diverting eye contact

to look at the audience used for visual purposes during the time Matt is seen, adding to the indicate that you as a member

of the videos audience are watching the video live along with the other occupants seen watching in the video. The bright

lights and active transitions between the shots changing in perspective creates the impression that you are involved in the

video through both sides of the story- from the bands eyes to the audience who are acting as the antagonists in the

narrative influenced video theme, the lighting encourages your eyes to sub consciously advert to the where the light is

being located- which in the video in the band as a whole and each band member separately. The 1975 is a all male band

meaning that the male gaze doesn’t relate however the idea of the female gaze being a factor that attract attention is

relevant due to the fact each of the men have an aspect that would be an appealing for the female audiences. Although

the video features a larger majority of men from the start, women are seen in the background as part of this audience

however are only seen wearing outfits revealing little skin as it just conform to the song or allow the meaning to be

acknowledged rather than the female body, challenging the male gaze that has become a reliance in many Indie rock

videos for many. The fact they are breaking the conventions plays on the idea that many bands need women that support

the male gaze for attention from the more male dominated viewing, whereas in this video the female audience are the

predominantly dominated because of the attractive male artists that differ in their looks and styles giving them the visual

interest the male gaze has on the male majority in other videos. Colours have massive influence on how the notion of

looking is affected because it gives the eyes an indication of where to look and who to focus their attention on, especially

as each of the colours featured may have some kind of impact on how we as the audience perceive that person based on

simple ques like the colour visuals aspect- Healy is the lead singer of the band meaning that he is consciously recognised

as the leader to follow therefore the fact he is wearing all black in his outfit with nail vanish, heavy eye make up and heavy

styled hair links to the pink lighting as it suggests he has a feminine side with a dark persona combining his music genre

and style perception. The fact all the audience are dressed in all white constantly communication the idea they are the

protagonists in the situation as the white worn represents innocence and purity despite the fact they are visual seen as the

bad guys in this situation as they are the ones shouting abuse and negative comments about the band and their music

whereas all 4 members of The 1975 are dressed solely in black signifying darkness, evil, death and danger even through

they aren’t doing anything wrong but instead 4 men embracing the music they make, enjoying their passion ignoring the

negativity they face from those who act as the innocent ones behind the screens they write the abuse on.

The artists may develop motifs or iconography that recur

across their work (a visual style)The 1975 are a prime example of how certain motifs can be a recurring theme in all aspects of their music

videos from the locations to colour pallets used. Each of the videos brought out by The 1975 has a narrative

aspect to them giving the audience the feeling they are watching a short film that although doesn’t feature

spoken audio as Healy is typically the main focus of the video as the story teller singing along , giving the

clear conformation that he is the bands frontman as the other band member's prefer to blend into the

background adding a performance influence to it, adding to the impression you are watching a short film as

their imagination has allowed them to create a series of videos that have sutal connection, becoming a

common trait that seems to be consistently carried on. In the video for ‘Somebody else’ a leather jacket is

worn that features a few slogans written along the back, to link to the rock influence have on the bands song

and style, which aren’t easily read however it is clear that one piece of script reads a line from the single

‘The Sound’ “by the sound of your heart” with a heart scribbled on in white marker showing the link

between this songs meaning with that other song- the song ‘Somebody else’ is about accepting that two

people aren’t meant to be together because it isn't healthy nor does it work but the connection has limited

one person from moving on as the other find themselves physically with another person, whereas in ‘The

Sound’ is about how falling in love with someone can make you hate them just as much because of the

damage that can be left, implying that a series of emotions are being told out through a sequence of songs

and videos that’s meaning differ in feelings but relate to the person listening because you are given a visual

reminder of this persons persona and outlook making you impersonate feeling that way in order to properly

understand the songs meanings. The monochrome colour scheme is a motif that has been relevant from the

bands creation therefore is an expected aspect of every video because it reflects the dark nature of the

songs meaning it has become a signature for each of the boys to wear solely black and white outfits with

dim lighting and dystopian influenced locations like abandoned buildings, isolated areas and underground

bars which conforms to the visual styling the band has carried on with them in several videos they have

released. In relation to the iconography being featured The 1975 are hugely influenced by the idea of

combining unique filming techniques to create a silence film inspired video therefore the fact a lot of the

shots seen in the videos are filmed on a older camera that create perfect quality that has a imperfect look to

fit to the idea that the band are a band that don’t necessarily fit the genre of music they make because of

their appearances and inspirations but conform to the genre because that have that individuality every part

of the industry need.

There are often intertextual referencesThe music video for ‘Sound’ shows clear parallel to Charlie Chaplin's silent movies with the

editing being similar to the type of editing found in those types of films. The reflection of the

silent movie is referenced consistently throughout the bands music videos with a black and

white theme becoming an expected signature for the bands work and a trademark for their

music therefore when a member of the public who is a fan of The 1975 see black and white

they may automatically assume it is the bands releasing a new piece of music. In relation to

the Charlie Chaplin era that is tribute in the video, the styling of the all black suit style attire

and facial make up relate as Chaplin is seen in many of the movies he starred in in his prime

he is known to wear liner to accentuate his eye as in the acting industry having the eyes as a

key feature gives the audience a stronger connection with the actors and storyline therefore

the fact both Chaplin (the lead in most things he has starred in) and Healy( the lead member

of the band) are both seen using make up to reflect attention on themselves. In another video

for the song “A Change Of Heart”, Healy wears a full face of clown make up in relation to the

songs meanings which is another rendition to the idea of silent movies being a influence for

the band themselves, as many silent movies feature stage make up as part of their story

telling aspect and the fact the clown make up was shown in another video connotes the idea

that each video is telling a story in instalments which is clear because in every video there is

clear connections between the music videos such as sign saying song lyrics or the same

outfit being worn again. Therefore it is clear that there is an intertextual reference in this

video.