Desert Island Disc Challenge: ‘The 1975 Deluxe Edition’

Editor’s note: As part of CMN’s ongoing music journalism program, we asked our team of music writers to take on the age-old challenge of choosing one piece of music they would like to have with them if they were stranded on a deserted island. It’s an absurd notion, but also irresistible. See all the different approaches they took right over here.

“If you had to live on a desert island forever, what album would you take and why?”

I knew my answer right away. 100%, without a doubt, The 1975’s deluxe version of their self-titled album, released in September of 2013.

The 1975 is a quartet from Manchester, England made up of the band’s frontman Matty Healy, drummer George Daniel, guitarist Adam Hann, and bassist Ross MacDonald.

I believe The 1975’s debut album will forever be my all-time favorite. The album is the most “The 1975 sounding” album they have: The rock-edged approach has become the template 1975 sound. As the band — and other fans — like to call it, their “emo phase.” A lot of the songs touch on topics like drugs, sex, love, or alcohol — furthering the emo connection.

I have so many memories attached to the songs and they are near and dear to my heart: Hearing album for the first time in high school, going on road trips with best friends to see the band live, jamming out to the album, constantly playing “Heart Out” and making it very known that it’s my favorite song.

Those memories are the main reason why I chose this album. If I were going to be on an island forever, I would want to hear songs that brought me back home and reminded me of my friends and life before the island.

The 1975 Deluxe Edition takes you through so many emotions. If you’re wanting to get in your feels, listen to “Is There Somebody Who Can Watch You” or “fallingforyou” and have a good cry. If you want to dance your heart out, listen to “She Way Out” or “Girls” and have the time of your life.

Without anyone to share my thoughts with, I would be able to deal with the emotions I was feeling just by listening to the album.

Over the years, the band has found a way to create phases that sound completely different from the one before. Their second album, I Like It When You Sleep For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It  has strong pop vibes, as do the singles currently being released from their upcoming album, A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships. The electronic touches create a completely different vibe from the debut album.

The 1975 Deluxe Edition features the kind of heavy drums and sharp guitars that made me fall in love with the sound. An indie rock feel shines through on these tracks. Discovering this album was a turning point in my musical development, making me realize I was into more than radio music and One Direction.

With 39 songs that take up nearly two-and-a-half hours, I would be able to waste plenty of time and have plenty of songs to listen to on the island. Also considering I’ve played “Heart Out” alone over 300 times, I don’t think I would be getting tired of it very soon.

It’s an album I want to share with everybody I meet. If you’re already into indie music or you want a good album to start getting into it, The 1975 Deluxe Edition is a must-have in your music collection.