The Sound, Music Video Analysis

The 1975- The Sound Analysis

The Sound was the fourth single from the album I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It released by Manchester born Indie band The 1975. It was released on the 19^th February 2016 with its music video release six days following. It is currently The 1975’s highest charting single reaching number 15 in the UK. It’s controversial music video and live performances sparked much conversation in the media due to its outright use of their previous criticisms in an attempt to face the critics head-on and show they rise above the hate they receive.

The music video has a high performance element which is stereotypical to the genre. The camera shows many close up shots of each band member and their instruments to match the fast paced editing of the video which is done to go with the timing of the music. As well as this there is a continuous heartbeat in the background of the music in which the video editing sometimes compliments. In contrast to the upbeat music and face paced editing the band wear all black and dark make-up to give the video the stereotypical moody, indie feel. Often Indie artists add a controversial, political or current affairs issue as a talking point in the video. In The Sound Matty (frontman) wears nail polish, this is breaking down gender stereotypes which is a very relevant issue of the time.

We see the four band members caged in a glass box to perform the song. This gives the impression that the band is under scrutiny and being watched, giving the connotation of zoo animals. The lighting outside the box looking in is bright pink reflecting the energy of the song however its turns bright white when Matty begins to sing making you think of a spotlight on them as they are being watched. This could further add to them being inspected move by move. Matty knocks on the glass of the box as if trying to get free and holds his head in stress, it seems as if the scrutiny is becoming too much for him and he wants to escape.  He later wrights the words ‘Help Me’ on the glass cage as if he cannot deal with being watched constantly. The glass box slowly rises with smoke as if they are being drowned- this shows they cannot cope with the sudden fame and do not know how to handle it.

Out of the distance groups of smartly dressed people appear all looking into the box. They are all dressed head to toe in white clothing giving the impression that they are pure and perfect in contrast to the band dressed all in black. This could be a representation of the idea that you have to be perfect to criticize somebody else. They watch the band and get closer and closer to the box talking more and more as they do as if to say they get further scrutinized with the more fame the accumulate. The lighting turns bright white (spotlight) when Matty sings the lyrics ‘All about me’ as if all focus is on him and he feels all bad press is directly to him.

Perhaps the most stand out part of this music video is the bad review quotes that appear on the screen in pink flashes. The band also edited these quotes onto the screen of their live Brit awards performance causing much confusion and many people to believe they were hacked. It seemed unbelievable that an artist would openly display negative comments about their music. The band have revealed they did this to stand up to the negative press they receive and show how far they have come and how they are no longer affected by this. The words are written on a pink background which is often seen as a positive colour. This almost makes fun of the comments and shows that they are not taken seriously by the group.

In a sudden turn of events now the four band members are set on chairs looking into the box in which is full of the critics drowning in smoke. They seem to be battling harder to get out of the box whilst the band members do not speak only look in towards them. This gives the critics a taste of their own medicine by putting them subject to what they do to others. Although the band members do not speak or judge them but only look on presenting them as bigger people. This highlights the fact they rise above what people have to say about them as they believe in what they are doing and eventually it will put them in a position in which they are free from judgement.

In conclusion, I think this music video has a brilliant meaning behind it and shows that you should never stop doing what you love and that ignoring negative and nasty comments should not put you off what makes you happy.