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{{Short description|2020 studio album by the 1975}}
{{good article}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2024}}{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Notes on a Conditional Form
| type = studio
| cover = The 1975 Notes on a Conditional Form New Album Art.jpg <!--Please DO NOT remove. This is the current, officially updated cover. The
| alt = In a orange-brown color, text on the top from left to right in various fonts, "Music For Cars", "The 1975", "Notes On A Conditional Form", "DH00753", and on the top far right, letters "N" and "O" on top, "C" and "F" below, and in between and center, the letter "A".
| caption = Standard cover for physical releases
| artist = [[the 1975]]
| released = {{start date|2020|5|22|df=y}}
| recorded = August 2018 – February 2020
| studio = {{plainlist|
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| length = 80:29
| genre = *[[Rock music|Rock]]
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▲* [[Experimental music|experimental]]<!-- Genres (from reliable sources) are to be sourced in the Music section ONLY and NOT in the info; they WILL be removed otherwise-->
| producer = {{hlist|[[Matty Healy|Matthew Healy]]|[[George Daniel]]|Jonathan Gilmore}}
▲* [[Polydor Records|Polydor]]
| prev_title = [[A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships]]
| prev_year = 2018
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| cover = The 1975 Notes on a Conditional Form Digital.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Digital-only cover
}}
{{Singles
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| single6date = 23 April 2020
| single7 = [[Guys (song)|Guys]]
| single7date = 13 May 2020}}
}}
'''''Notes on a Conditional Form''''' is the fourth studio album by English band [[the 1975]]. It was released on 22 May 2020 by [[Dirty Hit]] and [[Polydor Records]]. Initially titled ''Music for Cars'', the album was intended as the follow-up to ''[[I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It]]'' (2016). It later came to denote an era spanning two albums. The first, ''[[A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships]]'', released in November 2018. The band recorded much of the second album in [[London]], [[Los Angeles]], [[Sydney]], [[Northamptonshire]] and in a mobile studio on their tour bus. The album faced several delays and was submitted only weeks before the onset of the global [[COVID-19 pandemic]].▼
▲'''''Notes on a Conditional Form''''' is the fourth studio album by English band [[the 1975]]. It was released on 22 May 2020 by [[Dirty Hit]] and [[Polydor Records]]. Initially titled ''Music for Cars'', the album was intended as the follow-up to ''[[I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It]]'' (2016). It later came to denote an era spanning two albums. The first, ''[[A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships]]'', was released in November 2018. The band recorded much of the second album in [[London]], [[Los Angeles]], [[Sydney]], [[Northamptonshire]] and in a mobile studio on their tour bus. The album faced several delays and was submitted only weeks before the onset of the global [[COVID-19 pandemic]].
A [[Maximalism|maximalist]] [[Experimental music|experimental]] album, ''Notes on a Conditional Form'' has a free-flowing structure composed of conventional songs, [[Classical music|classical]] [[orchestra]]l interludes and [[Ambient music|ambient]] [[Electronic music|electronic]] instrumentals. The album contains loose [[song structure]]s characterised by their [[stream of consciousness]] deliveries, [[neo-noir]] ambience, [[Downtempo|downcast]] [[String section|string arrangements]], [[Melancholia|melancholic]] orchestral flourishes and sudden contrasts. Guest contributors to the album include [[Phoebe Bridgers]], [[FKA Twigs]], [[Cutty Ranks]], [[climate change]] activist [[Greta Thunberg]], and Matty Healy's father, [[Tim Healy (actor)|Tim]].▼
▲A [[Maximalism|maximalist]] [[Experimental music|experimental]] album, ''Notes on a Conditional Form'' has a free-flowing structure composed of conventional songs, [[Classical music|classical]] [[orchestra]]l interludes and [[Ambient music|ambient]] [[Electronic music|electronic]] instrumentals. The album contains loose [[song structure]]s characterised by their [[stream of consciousness]] deliveries, [[neo-noir]] ambience, [[Downtempo|downcast]] [[String section|string arrangements]], [[Melancholia|melancholic]] orchestral flourishes and sudden contrasts. Guest contributors to the album include [[Phoebe Bridgers]], [[FKA Twigs]], [[Cutty Ranks]], [[climate change]] activist [[Greta Thunberg]], and [[Matty Healy]]'s father, [[Tim Healy (actor)|Tim]].
''Notes on a Conditional Form'' incorporates numerous genres, combining [[House music|house]], [[UK garage]] and various [[Electronic music|electronic]] music subgenres with guitar-based [[Acoustic music|acoustic]] [[Folk music|folk]], [[emo]], [[Country music|country]] and multiple [[Rock music|rock]] music subgenres. Thematically, the album focuses on the intricacies of human existence and uses introspection, retrospection, self-reflection and straightforward [[storytelling]]. It explores themes of isolation, uncertainty and anxiety, inspired by the 2017 documentary ''[[Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold]]'' and [[Bruce Springsteen]]'s 1982 album ''[[Nebraska (album)|Nebraska]]''. The album's lyrics provide a deconstruction of Healy's extroverted persona, with several reviewers regarding it as the 1975's most personal record.
Prior to the album's debut, the band released "[[The 1975 (2019 song)|The 1975]]" and the [[Single (music)|single]]s "[[People (The 1975 song)|People]]", "[[Frail State of Mind]]", "[[Me & You Together Song]]", "[[The Birthday Party (song)|The Birthday Party]]", "[[Jesus Christ 2005 God Bless America]]", "[[If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know)]]" and "[[Guys (song)|Guys]]". A North American leg of the band's [[Music for Cars Tour]], planned in support of the album, was cancelled several months prior to the record's debut. An online [[art exhibition]] entitled ''Artists Respond to NOACF'', featuring [[music video]]s created by various artists, was released in its place. The album debuted atop the [[UK Albums Chart]] and reached number one in Australia and Scotland. Elsewhere, it peaked within the top five in Ireland, New Zealand and the United States, and the top 20 in Canada and Japan. The album polarised [[Music journalism|contemporary music critics]]; some lauded it as the band's [[Masterpiece|''magnum opus'']], while others derided it as confusing, chaotic and directionless. Despite this, the album appeared on numerous year-end lists and was hailed as the best release of 2020 by ''[[The Music (magazine)|The Music]]''.
== Background and release ==
The 1975 released their second studio album, ''[[I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It]]'', in February 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/i-like-it-when-you-sleep-for-you-are-so-beautiful-yet-so-unaware-of-it-mw0002906304|title=I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It - The 1975|last=Collar|first=Matt|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=4 January 2021|archive-date=2 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102165407/https://www.allmusic.com/album/i-like-it-when-you-sleep-for-you-are-so-beautiful-yet-so-unaware-of-it-mw0002906304|url-status=live}}</ref> The record peaked atop the [[UK Albums Chart]] and the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and was considered by numerous critics to be one of the best albums of 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-1975-score-second-chart-topping-album-with-i-like-it-when-you-sleep-for-you-are-so-beautiful-yet-so-unaware-of-it__14023/|title=The 1975 score second chart-topping album with I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|date=5 March 2016|access-date=5 March 2016|archive-date=6 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306172447/http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-1975-score-second-chart-topping-album-with-i-like-it-when-you-sleep-for-you-are-so-beautiful-yet-so-unaware-of-it__14023/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BB2001">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-1975/chart-history/tlp/|title=The 1975 – Billboard 200 Chart History|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=19 March 2016|access-date=26 January 2021|archive-date=31 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131211459/https://www.billboard.com/music/the-1975/chart-history/TLP|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="MC">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/feature/critics-pick-top-10-best-albums-of-2016|title=Best of 2016: Music Critics Top 10 Lists|last=Dietz|first=Jason|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|date=28 November 2016|access-date=1 March 2021|archive-date=11 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161211031929/http://www.metacritic.com/feature/critics-pick-top-10-best-albums-of-2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> In February 2017, lead singer Matthew Healy [[Twitter|tweeted]]: "Music For Cars – 2018". In an April interview on [[Zane Lowe]]'s [[Apple Music 1|Beats 1 Radio]] show, the singer confirmed the title ''Music For Cars'' and announced a 2018 release,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2017/04/the-1975-music-for-cars-new-album/|title=The 1975 Announce New Album Music for Cars|last=Gordon|first=Jeremy|work=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|date=4 April 2017|access-date=14 September 2020|archive-date=2 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102162918/https://www.spin.com/2017/04/the-1975-music-for-cars-new-album/|url-status=live}}</ref> saying "[the album] has always been called that, and we were always gonna do a trilogy of records".<ref name="Legaspi">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-1975-announce-new-album-music-for-cars-192434/|title=The 1975 Announce New Album 'Music for Cars'|last=Legaspi|first=Althea|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=28 April 2017|access-date=24 January 2021}}</ref> He later told Tom Connick of ''[[NME]]'' that the title was a reference to the band's third [[extended play]] of [[Music for Cars|the same name]] (2013), saying it "was always my favorite title of everything we'd ever done".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/the_1975_music_for_cars_new_album_title/|title=The 1975 reveal why their new album is going to be called 'Music For Cars'|last=Dickman|first=Maggie|work=[[Alternative Press (magazine)|Alternative Press]]|date=20 October 2017|access-date=24 January 2021}}</ref> With ''Music For Cars'', the singer aimed to create the most important [[Pop music|pop]] album of the decade, hoping to achieve the same impact as [[Radiohead]]'s ''[[OK Computer]]'' (1997) and [[
In August 2017, the 1975 stated they were in the editing process of ''Music For Cars'', having over two hours worth of material. Healy also revealed the name of a new song, "[[Jesus Christ 2005 God Bless America]]" (2020),<ref name="NewTrack">{{cite web|url=https://www.readdork.com/news/it-looks-like-matty-healy-has-revealed-a-new-track-title-from-the-1975s-music-for-cars/|title=It looks like Matty Healy has revealed a new track title from The 1975's 'Music For Cars'|work=[[Dork (magazine)|Dork]]|date=31 August 2017|access-date=24 January 2021}}</ref> while the band's manager Jamie
The first part of the ''Music For Cars'' era, ''[[A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships]]'', was released on 30 November 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://diymag.com/2018/11/20/the-1975-a-brief-inquiry-into-online-relationships-album-review|title=The 1975 – A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships|last=Richards|first=Will|work=[[DIY (magazine)|DIY]]|date=30 November 2018|access-date=5 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/a-brief-inquiry-into-online-relationships-mw0003209553|title=A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships - The 1975|last=Collar|first=Matt|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=4 January 2021|archive-date=2 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102165430/https://www.allmusic.com/album/a-brief-inquiry-into-online-relationships-mw0003209553|url-status=live}}</ref> It received widespread critical acclaim and won [[Brit Award for British Album of the Year|British Album of the Year]] at the [[2019 Brit Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/a-brief-inquiry-into-online-relationships/the-1975|title=A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships by The 1975|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=22 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/feb/20/brit-awards-winners-calvin-harris-the-1975-jorja-smith/|title=Calvin Harris and the 1975 lead winners at 2019 Brit Awards|work=[[The Guardian]]|last1=Beaumont-Thomas|first1=Ben|last2=Mohdin|first2=Aamna|date=20 February 2019|access-date=24 February 2019|archive-date=16 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216151907/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/feb/20/brit-awards-winners-calvin-harris-the-1975-jorja-smith|url-status=live}}</ref> Although Healy sought to release the second album in May 2019,<ref name="Gonzales">{{cite web|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/matty-healy-1975-new-album-2020|title=In The 1975's New Album, Matty Healy Takes a Sledgehammer to His Ego|last=Gonzalez|first=Carolina|work=[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]|date=19 May 2020|access-date=28 September 2020|archive-date=20 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920173948/https://www.vogue.com/article/matty-healy-1975-new-album-2020|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Notes on a Conditional Form'' became available for pre-order on [[Apple Music]] shortly after the
==Recording and production==
The recording of ''Notes on a Conditional Form'' took place over 19 months in 15 different studios, spanning four countries.<ref name="Guardian Interview">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/may/16/the-1975-matty-healy-im-not-an-avocado-not-everyone-thinks-im-amazing|title=The 1975's Matty Healy: 'I'm not an avocado – not everyone thinks I'm amazing'|last=Lynskey|first=Dorian|work=The Guardian|date=16 May 2020|access-date=26 January 2021}}</ref> The 1975 began writing the album during the same period as ''A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships'' and continued throughout 2019 during their [[Music for Cars Tour]].<ref name="Gonzales"/><ref name="SacherAlbum">{{cite web|url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/the-1975s-notes-on-a-conditional-form-is-a-fascinating-adventurous-end-of-an-era-review/|title=The 1975's 'Notes On A Conditional Form' is a fascinating, adventurous end of an era – review|last=Sacher|first=Andrew|work=[[BrooklynVegan]]|date=22 May 2020|access-date=21 January 2021|archive-date=15 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115021733/https://www.brooklynvegan.com/the-1975s-notes-on-a-conditional-form-is-a-fascinating-adventurous-end-of-an-era-review/|url-status=live}}</ref> Most of the album's [[Electronic music|electronic]] elements were created in a mobile studio within their retrofitted tour bus, while the guitars and vocals were recorded between tour dates. The band's guitarist [[Adam Hann]] told Gregory Adams of ''[[Guitar World]]'' that it proved challenging to record and tour simultaneously, saying it was difficult switching between the bus and studio.<ref name="GuitarWorld">{{cite web|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/the-1975s-adam-hann-talks-embracing-heavy-riffs-recording-on-the-road-and-why-he-loves-john-petruccis-signature-model|title=The 1975's Adam Hann talks embracing heavy riffs, recording on the road and why he loves John Petrucci's signature model|last=Adams|first=Gregory|work=[[Guitar World]]|date=9 July 2020|access-date=26 January 2021}}</ref> From around late July, the band spent four months recording in [[Los Angeles]].<ref name="Snapes">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jul/20/matt-healy-of-the-1975-im-not-scared-of-myself-any-more|title=Matt Healy of the 1975: 'I'm not scared of myself any more'|last=Snapes|first=Laura|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=20 July 2018|access-date=26 January 2021|archive-date=16 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216151854/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jul/20/matt-healy-of-the-1975-im-not-scared-of-myself-any-more|url-status=live}}</ref> After returning to the UK, they took up residence at the Angelic Residential Recording Studio in [[Northamptonshire]] for "super extended" sessions.<ref name="Gordon"/><ref name="DeWolfe">{{cite web|url=https://www.shortlist.com/news/exclusive-the-1975s-matty-healy-dishes-on-new-album-notes-on-a-conditional-form-401922|title=The 1975's Matty Healy dishes on new album Notes On A Conditional Form|last=De Wolfe|first=Danielle|work=[[ShortList]]|date=28 February 2020|access-date=26 January 2021}}</ref><ref name="Notes">{{cite AV media notes|others=The 1975|title=Notes on a Conditional Form|year=2020|type= inlay cover|publisher=[[Dirty Hit]] and [[Polydor Records]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article
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The 1975 designed ''Notes on a Conditional Form'' as an [[Experimental music|experimental]] album meant to represent [[Dance music|dance]] music in the UK,<ref name="GuitarWorld"/><ref name="Wetmore1"/><ref name="RollingInterview">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/the-1975-matty-healy-george-daniel-interview-noacf-1002602/|title=The 1975 Would Like to Invent the Future|last=Spanos|first=Brittany |magazine=Rolling Stone|date=22 May 2020|access-date=27 January 2021|archive-date=6 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206031047/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/the-1975-matty-healy-george-daniel-interview-noacf-1002602/|url-status=live}}</ref> taking inspiration from the British club scene, [[Burial (musician)|Burial]], [[the Streets]] and [[Brian Eno]].<ref name="RollingInterview"/><ref name="Radio">{{cite web|url=https://www.radio.com/blogs/tiana-timmerberg/matty-healy-details-experimental-nature-upcoming-notes-conditional-form|title=Matty Healy Details 'Experimental' Nature of Upcoming 'Notes On A Conditional Form'|last=Timmerberg|first=Tiana|publisher=[[Radio.com]]|date=18 December 2018|access-date=27 January 2021|archive-date=18 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118160732/https://www.radio.com/blogs/tiana-timmerberg/matty-healy-details-experimental-nature-upcoming-notes-conditional-form|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Earls">{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/1975-say-next-album-notes-conditional-form-sounds-like-streets-burial-2430754|title=The 1975 reveal surprise new influences for next album 'Notes On A Conditional Form'|last=Earls|first=John|work=NME|date=14 January 2019|access-date=26 January 2021|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204113607/https://www.nme.com/news/music/1975-say-next-album-notes-conditional-form-sounds-like-streets-burial-2430754|url-status=live}}</ref> Healy guided the album's creative direction, working closely with the band's primary producer and drummer, George Daniel, on all aspects of songwriting.<ref name="FaderCover">{{cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2019/09/12/the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form-interview|title=The 1975 Have Nowhere to Grow But Up|last=Fitzmaurice|first=Larry|work=[[The Fader]]|date=25 July 2019|access-date=24 January 2021}}</ref> Healy described their working relationship a [[Symbiosis|symbiotic]] creative partnership built on a "shared musical vocabulary".<ref name="IDInterview">{{cite web|url=https://i-d.
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| caption3 = Teenage activist [[Greta Thunberg]] gives a [[climate change]] speech on "[[The 1975 (2019 song)|The 1975]]".
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''Notes on a Conditional Form'' is more collaborative than the 1975's previous albums.<ref name="dorkreview">{{cite web|url=https://www.readdork.com/reviews/the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form|title=The 1975 - Notes On A Conditional Form|last1=Shutler|first1=Ali|last2=Ackroyd|first2=Stephen|work=Dork|date=19 May 2020|access-date=16 January 2021|archive-date=8 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108101629/https://www.readdork.com/reviews/the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form|url-status=live}}</ref> Healy said the prior omittance of other vocalists came from his dislike of the modern culture of [[Guest appearance|features]], feeling they were too commercialised and lacked authenticity. Speaking on the album's vocal collaborators, he said: "I think there's an authenticity to the collaboration[s] on this record because it came from nothing but friendship and excitement of music."<ref name="Wetmore1">{{cite web|url=https://www.papermag.com/the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form-interview-2646017442.html?rebelltitem=40#rebelltitem40|title='Notes on a Conditional Form' Track-by-Track|last=Wetmore|first=Brendan|work=[[Paper (magazine)|Paper]]|date=22 May 2020|access-date=15 January 2021|archive-date=21 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121185807/https://www.papermag.com/the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form-interview-2646017442.html?rebelltitem=40#rebelltitem40|url-status=live}}</ref> Swedish teenage activist [[Greta Thunberg]] provides a speech on [[climate change]] in "The 1975",<ref name="Agnew">{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.
[[Phoebe Bridgers]] represents the most prominent collaborator on ''Notes on a Conditional Form'', contributing to four songs.<ref name="Gordon"/> Healy exchanged messages with Bridgers, a longtime fan of the 1975, and they began talking about each other's music.<ref name="Gordon"/> Daniel invited the singer and Marshall Vore, her drummer, to hangout while the band were in Los Angeles.<ref name="IDInterview"/> She later became "inherently" part of the album, described by Healy as adding a "[[Country music|country]]-[[emo]] [[Americana (music)|Americana]]" element.<ref name="Gordon"/> Healy said that he did not experience his usual collaboration-related anxiety when working with Bridgers, describing it as akin to playing an instrument.<ref name="Apple"/> She recorded a solo version of "Jesus Christ 2005 God Bless America", which impressed Healy enough for him to ask her to record harmonies for other songs.<ref name="Gordon"/><ref name="Wetmore1"/> She later travelled to England to record "Then Because She Goes", "Roadkill" and "Playing on My Mind", telling Salvatore Maicki of ''The Fader'': "I love their turnaround time, it's fucking great. That's, like, true [[punk rock]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2019/10/30/phoebe-bridgers-1975-collaboration-new-album-2020|title=Phoebe Bridgers might be singing harmonies on The 1975's new album|last=Maicki|first=Salvatore|work=The Fader|date=30 October 2019|access-date=27 September 2020|archive-date=5 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805052914/https://www.thefader.com/2019/10/30/phoebe-bridgers-1975-collaboration-new-album-2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Music and structure ==
''Notes on a Conditional Form'' is a sonically [[Experimental music|experimental]] album that explores an expansive array of genres,<ref name="IDInterview"/> incorporating sounds, styles and textures extrapolated from a diverse set of scenes and eras.<ref name="Dombal"/><ref name="Sodomsky">{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form/|title=The 1975: Notes on a Conditional Form|last=Sodomsky|first=Sam|work=Pitchfork|date=22 May 2020|access-date=13 September 2020|archive-date=2 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102162932/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Wood">{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-05-21/the-1975-matty-healy-notes-on-a-conditional-form|title=The 1975's Matty Healy has an adorable new puppy and a bonkers new album|last=Wood|first=Mikael|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=21 May 2020|access-date=27 January 2021|archive-date=31 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131000236/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-05-21/the-1975-matty-healy-notes-on-a-conditional-form|url-status=live}}</ref> Growing comfortable with their identity, the 1975 incorporated ideas from a planned electronic album into the record,<ref name="GuitarWorld"/><ref name="BBInterview">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/9377746/the-1975-interview-notes-on-a-conditional-form|title=Liner 'Notes': The 1975's Matty Healy Talks Releasing an Opus Under Quarantine|last=Unterberger|first=Andrew|magazine=Billboard|date=14 May 2020|access-date=27 January 2021|archive-date=13 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113055323/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/9377746/the-1975-interview-notes-on-a-conditional-form|url-status=live}}</ref> extensively utilising [[House music|house]] music and [[UK garage]].<ref name="Wetmore1"/> Brenton Blanchet of ''[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]'' said ''Notes on a Conditional Form'' serves to "cement [the 1975] as genre shapeshifters", building upon the experimentation of their third studio album.<ref name="Blanchet">{{cite web|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form|title=The 1975 - Notes On A Conditional Form|last=Blanchet|first=Brenton|work=[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]|date=17 May 2020|access-date=15 January 2021|archive-date=24 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524030624/https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form|url-status=live}}</ref> Matt Collar of [[AllMusic]] shared this sentiment and commented that it continues the "self-aware, implicitly obvious" experimentation of its predecessor.<ref name="Collar"/> Lindsay Zoladz of ''[[The New York Times]]'' said the record disregards traditional album structures, calling it a "collection of peaks and valleys".<ref name="Zoladz">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/21/arts/music/the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form-review.html|title=The 1975: Self-Aware, Self-Indulgent and, Yes, Sincere|last=Zoladz|first=Lindsay|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=21 May 2020|access-date=14 January 2021|archive-date=15 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115223240/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/21/arts/music/the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form-review.html|url-status=live}}</ref> For this reason, Mitch Mosk of ''
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"Then Because She Goes", an experimental shoegaze,<ref name="Boddez"/><ref name="RockCellar">{{cite web|url=https://www.rockcellarmagazine.com/the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form-samples-christopher-cross-temptations-listen/|title=The 1975 Sampling Christopher Cross and The Temptations on 'Notes on a Conditional Form' Shows the Band's Appreciation of What Came Before|work=RockCellar Magazine|date=26 May 2020|access-date=30 January 2021|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204061106/https://www.rockcellarmagazine.com/the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form-samples-christopher-cross-temptations-listen/|url-status=live}}</ref> alternative rock and [[dream pop]] song,<ref name="mosk1"/><ref name="Klinge">{{cite web|url=https://fusion.inquirer.com/entertainment/new-album-from-the-1975-steve-earle-david-bromerg-review-20200528.html|title=New album from the 1975 takes a wild, trend-hopping ride through pop-stardom|last=Klinge|first=Steve|work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]|date=28 May 2020|access-date=2 February 2021|archive-date=16 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216151910/https://fusion.inquirer.com/entertainment/new-album-from-the-1975-steve-earle-david-bromerg-review-20200528.html|url-status=live}}</ref> has an unconventional song structure,<ref name="Insider">{{cite web|url=https://www.insider.com/the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form-review-tracklist-breakdown-2020-5|title=The 1975's 'Notes on a Conditional Form' has absolutely no skips — but that doesn't mean it's perfect|last1=Ahlgrim|first1=Callie|last2=Larocca|first2=Courteney|work=[[Insider Inc.|Insider]]|date=22 May 2020|access-date=5 January 2021}}</ref> background vocals from Bridgers and elements of [[post-grunge]].<ref name="Notes"/><ref name="HortonAlbum"/> Bridgers contributes a verse to "Jesus Christ 2005 God Bless America" and background vocals on "Roadkill",<ref name="Notes"/> an upbeat alternative rock and country song;<ref name="mosk1"/><ref name="Manno2">{{cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/the-1975/notes-on-a-conditional-form-review/|title=The 1975 Are Far Too Ambitious on Notes on A Conditional Form|last=Manno|first=Lizzie|work=Paste|date=20 May 2020|access-date=31 December 2020|archive-date=2 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102162805/https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/the-1975/notes-on-a-conditional-form-review/|url-status=live}}</ref> it draws influence from [[country rock]],<ref name="Smyth">{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form-review-a4448091.html|title=The 1975 - Notes on a Conditional Form review: A confusing, exhausting mess|last=Smyth|first=David|work=[[Evening Standard]]|date=22 May 2020|access-date=3 February 2021|archive-date=16 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216151946/https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form-review-a4448091.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Americana,<ref name="Blum"/> [[country pop]],<ref name="Edwards">{{cite web|url=https://riotmag.co/album-review-the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form|title=Album Review: The 1975 // Notes On A Conditional Form|last=Edwards|first=Caroline|work=Riot Magazine|date=23 May 2020|access-date=2 February 2021|archive-date=21 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021110504/https://riotmag.co/album-review-the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form|url-status=live}}</ref> [[indie pop]] and folk music.<ref name="Blanchet"/><ref name="RollingInterview"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form-review-passionate-if-indulgent-work-pushes-boundaries-1.4250407|title=The 1975: Notes on a Conditional Form review – passionate if indulgent work pushes boundaries|last=Murphy|first=Lauren|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|date=15 May 2020|access-date=9 January 2021|archive-date=2 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102162926/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form-review-passionate-if-indulgent-work-pushes-boundaries-1.4250407|url-status=live}}</ref> "[[Me & You Together Song]]" is a dream pop and [[pop rock]] song.<ref name="Wetmore">{{cite web|url=https://www.papermag.com/the-1975-me-and-you-together-song-tour-2644829860.html?rebelltitem=7#rebelltitem7|title=The 1975 Release New Song and Tour Dates|last=Wetmore|first=Brendan|work=Paper|date=16 January 2020|access-date=31 December 2020|archive-date=13 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113215751/https://www.papermag.com/the-1975-me-and-you-together-song-tour-2644829860.html?rebelltitem=7#rebelltitem7|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Hosken">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/3165495/the-1975-guys/|title=The 1975's 'Guys' Is A Tearjerker About Friendship|last=Hosken|first=Patrick|publisher=MTV News|date=13 May 2020|access-date=13 January 2021|archive-date=15 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115174425/http://www.mtv.com/news/3165495/the-1975-guys/|url-status=
{{Listen
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=== Mindshower ===
[[File:The_1975_-_Mindshower_lobby.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Upon entering Mindshower, users are able to explore the lobby (''pictured'') to access exclusive literature, artwork and music from ''Notes on a Conditional Form''.]]
On 14 February 2020, the Mindshower website was launched as a "digital detox", featuring a countdown set to expire on 19 February. Numerous [[Easter egg (media)|easter eggs]] were hidden within the [[source code]], including a link to satirical [[incel]] [[subreddit]] and nonsensical empowering messages.<ref name="MindshowerDork">{{cite web|url=https://www.readdork.com/news/the-1975-mindshower-ai|title=What's a mindshower.ai, what's it counting down to, and why are The 1975 involved?|work=Dork|date=15 February 2020|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=1 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201122523/https://www.readdork.com/news/the-1975-mindshower-ai|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="MindshowerNME">{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-1975-appear-to-have-launched-a-digital-detox-website-called-mindshower-2610296|title=The 1975 appear to have launched a 'digital detox' website called Mindshower|last=Richards|first=Will|work=NME|date=17 February 2020|access-date=8 January 2021|archive-date=27 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827235741/https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-1975-appear-to-have-launched-a-digital-detox-website-called-mindshower-2610296|url-status=live}}</ref> Social media posts made by Hann and Healy fuelled speculation about the 1975's connection to the website. When the countdown expired on 19 February,<ref name="MindshowerDork"/> the website debuted "The Birthday Party" and its music video, in which the band visits the retreat.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.readdork.com/news/the-video-for-the-1975s-new-song-the-birthday-party-has-arrived-and-its-really-quite-something|title=The video for The 1975's new song 'The Birthday Party' has arrived, and it's really quite something|work=Dork|date=19 February 2020|access-date=6 January 2021|archive-date=18 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918172316/https://www.readdork.com/news/the-video-for-the-1975s-new-song-the-birthday-party-has-arrived-and-its-really-quite-something|url-status=live}}</ref> The 1975 partnered with [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]] to relaunch Mindshower on 21 May.<ref name="MindshowerMW">{{cite web|url=https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/the-1975-partner-with-amazon-music-for-mindshower-virtual-experience/079863|title=The 1975 partner with Amazon Music for 'Mindshower' virtual experience|last=Homewood|first=Ben|work=Music Week|date=21 May 2020|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=14 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214003301/https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/the-1975-partner-with-amazon-music-for-mindshower-virtual-experience/079863|url-status=live}}</ref> A competition involving fan-made artwork was also held, with the winner being featured in [[Amazon Music]]'s marketing campaign for ''Notes on a Conditional Form''.<ref name="MindshowerBF">{{cite web|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/the-1975-launch-interactive-mindshower-digital-detox-site-for-fans|title=The 1975 launch interactive Mindshower digital detox site for fans|last=Kenneally|first=Cerys|work=The Line of Best Fit|date=21 May 2020|access-date=7 February 2021}}</ref><ref name="MindshowerNME2">{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-1975-launch-mindshower-digital-detox-for-fans-to-learn-share-and-create-2673140|title=The 1975 launch 'Mindshower' digital detox for fans to 'learn, share and create'|last=Reilly|first=Nick|work=NME|date=21 May 2020|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607235627/https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-1975-launch-mindshower-digital-detox-for-fans-to-learn-share-and-create-2673140|url-status=live}}</ref> The website features literature from several collaborators involved with the album, including a journal from set designer Tobias Rylander, a magazine from designer [[Samuel Burgess-Johnson]], photos from photographer Jordan Curtis Hughes and creative director Patricia Villirillo, and behind-the-scenes access from producer Jonathan Gilmore. Additionally, users can access the computer at the reception desk and download extra content from the album including links to homemade merchandise, artwork and [[Stem
=== ''Artists Respond to NOACF'' ===
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To accompany ''Notes on a Conditional Form'', the 1975 created an online [[art exhibition]] titled ''Artists Respond to NOACF'', taking the form of a YouTube playlist.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjhJRPvOzuIpKk1KeJ-x0O-Vuh6SitqQg|title=Artists Respond to NOACF|publisher=YouTube|access-date=6 February 2021|archive-date=1 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101134956/https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjhJRPvOzuIpKk1KeJ-x0O-Vuh6SitqQg|url-status=live}}</ref> The exhibition was created following the suspension of the Music for Cars Tour, with the band wanting to create something virtual for their fans to enjoy.<ref name="SpanosRespond">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form-exhibit-1032561/|title=The 1975 Unveil 'Notes on a Conditional Form' Online Exhibition|last=Spanos|first=Brittany|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=22 July 2020|access-date=6 February 2021|archive-date=15 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115174646/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form-exhibit-1032561/|url-status=live}}</ref> They worked alongside Ditto to commission 14 artists to "respond" to 14 of the album's songs.<ref name="NMENOACF">{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-1975s-new-notes-on-a-conditional-form-online-exhibit-2713151|title=Immerse yourself in The 1975's new online exhibit for 'Notes On A Conditional Form'|last=Skinner|first=Tom|work=NME|date=22 July 2020|access-date=6 February 2021|archive-date=28 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928124717/https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-1975s-new-notes-on-a-conditional-form-online-exhibit-2713151|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://the1975.com/noacf/|title=NOACF: The Exhibition|publisher=the1975.com|access-date=6 February 2021|archive-date=1 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201101057/https://the1975.com/noacf/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Artists Respond to NOACF'' features contributions from Agusta YR, [[Ai-Da (robot)|Ai-Da]], Alice Bucknell, Christopher MacInnes, Demon Sanctuary, Frederick Paxton, [[Jacolby Satterwhite]], Joey Holder, Lu Yang, Mia Kerin, Most Dismal Swamp, [[Rindon Johnson]], [[Sondra Perry]], and Weirdcore. The artists used different [[List of art media|mediums]] and disciplines to create their visuals, featuring artificial intelligence, generative animation, motion-capture animation, performance, robotics and other technologies. Each of the artists focused on the main themes explored on ''Notes on a Conditional Form'': technology, hope, love, anxiety and violence.<ref name="NMENOACF"/>
For "Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy)", Most Dismal Swamp focused on a 3D animated teddy bear,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://the1975.com/noacf/most-dismal-swamp-responds-to-tonight-i-wish-i-was-your-boy/|title=Most Dismal Swamp responds to 'Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy)'|publisher=the1975.com|date=22 May 2020|access-date=6 February 2021|archive-date=16 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216153951/https://the1975.com/noacf/most-dismal-swamp-responds-to-tonight-i-wish-i-was-your-boy/|url-status=dead}}</ref> while Demon Sanctuary employed a [[generative adversarial network]] (GAN) using [[sea slug]]s for "The End (Music For Cars)",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://the1975.com/noacf/demon-sanctuary-responds-to-the-end/|title=Demon Sanctuary responds to 'The End'|publisher=the1975.com|date=23 May 2020|access-date=6 February 2021|archive-date=14 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214061510/https://the1975.com/noacf/demon-sanctuary-responds-to-the-end/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and MacInnes' contribution for "Streaming" used images from international [[imageboard]]s such as [[4chan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://the1975.com/noacf/christopher-macinnes-responds-to-streaming/|title=Christopher MacInnes responds to 'Streaming'|publisher=the1975.com|date=24 May 2020|access-date=6 February 2021|archive-date=16 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516220850/https://the1975.com/noacf/christopher-macinnes-responds-to-streaming/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Agusta YR produced a [[Story within a story|film within a film]] for "Then Because She Goes",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://the1975.com/noacf/agusta-yr-responds-to-then-because-she-goes/|title=Agusta Yr responds to 'Then Because She Goes'|publisher=the1975.com|date=28 May 2020|access-date=6 February 2021|archive-date=16 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516222844/https://the1975.com/noacf/agusta-yr-responds-to-then-because-she-goes/|url-status=dead}}</ref> while Paxton's "Shiny Collarbone" used footage from the [[Arirang Mass Games]] in [[Pyongyang]] and Johnson created a utopian city for "Don't Worry".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://the1975.com/noacf/frederick-paxton-responds-to-shiny-collarbone/|title=Frederick Paxton responds to 'Shiny Collarbone'|publisher=the1975.com|date=6 July 2020|access-date=6 February 2021|archive-date=14 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214051517/https://the1975.com/noacf/frederick-paxton-responds-to-shiny-collarbone/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://the1975.com/noacf/rindon-johnson-responds-to-dont-worry/|title=Rindon Johnson responds to 'Don't Worry'|publisher=the1975.com|date=7 July 2020|access-date=6 February 2021|archive-date=16 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516202335/https://the1975.com/noacf/rindon-johnson-responds-to-dont-worry/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Ai-Da, a [[humanoid robot]], made a painting for "Yeah I Know" and Bucknell rendered three distinct futuristic cities for "I Think There's Something You Should Know".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://the1975.com/noacf/ai-da-responds-to-yeah-i-know/|title=Ai-Da responds to 'Yeah I Know'|publisher=the1975.com|date=8 July 2020|access-date=6 February 2021|archive-date=13 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213170242/https://the1975.com/noacf/ai-da-responds-to-yeah-i-know/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://the1975.com/noacf/alice-bucknell-responds-to-i-think-theres-something-you-should-know/|title=Alice Bucknell responds to 'I Think There's Something You Should Know'|publisher=the1975.com|date=9 July 2020|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=14 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214092605/https://the1975.com/noacf/alice-bucknell-responds-to-i-think-theres-something-you-should-know/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Perry's contribution focused on a Black 3D avatar for "What Should I Say",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://the1975.com/noacf/sondra-perry-responds-to-what-should-i-say/|title=Sondra Perry responds to 'What Should I Say'|publisher=the1975.com|date=10 July 2020|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=16 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516223239/https://the1975.com/noacf/sondra-perry-responds-to-what-should-i-say/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Weirdcore's visual for "Bagsy Not In Net" features kaleidoscopic patterns of astronauts,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://the1975.com/noacf/weirdcore-responds-to-bagsy-not-in-net/|title=Weirdcore responds to 'Bagsy Not In Net'|publisher=the1975.com|date=11 July 2020|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=14 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214093146/https://the1975.com/noacf/weirdcore-responds-to-bagsy-not-in-net/|url-status=dead}}</ref> while Holder's film for "Nothing Revealed / Everything Denied" was inspired by [[sigil]]s, the [[occult]] and ''[[The Book of Pleasure|The Book of Pleasure: Psychology of Ecstasy]]'' (1913) by [[Austin Osman Spare]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://the1975.com/noacf/joey-holder-responds-to-nothing-revealed-everything-denied/|title=Joey Holder responds to 'Nothing Revealed / Everything Denied'|publisher=the1975.com|date=12 July 2020|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=3 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503152506/https://the1975.com/noacf/joey-holder-responds-to-nothing-revealed-everything-denied/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Kerin plays a [[Cowboy|cowgirl]] in her video for "Roadkill",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://the1975.com/noacf/mia-kerin-responds-to-roadkill/|title=Mia Kerin responds to 'Roadkill'|publisher=the1975.com|date=13 July 2020|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=3 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503152554/https://the1975.com/noacf/mia-kerin-responds-to-roadkill/|url-status=dead}}</ref> while Satterwhite's art for "Having No Head" is an animated tribute to [[Breonna Taylor]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://the1975.com/noacf/jacolby-satterwhite-responds-to-having-no-head/|title=Jacolby Satterwhite responds to 'Having No Head'|publisher=the1975.com|date=15 July 2020|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=14 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214114431/https://the1975.com/noacf/jacolby-satterwhite-responds-to-having-no-head/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the final video for ''Artists Respond to NOACF'', Yang performs "Playing on My Mind" as her [[Non-binary gender|non-binary]] [[alter ego]], Doku.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://the1975.com/noacf/lu-yang-responds-to-playing-on-my-mind/|title=Lu Yang responds to 'Playing On My Mind'|publisher=the1975.com|date=22 July 2020|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=20 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620183101/https://the1975.com/noacf/lu-yang-responds-to-playing-on-my-mind/|url-status=dead}}</ref> A visual for "Jesus Christ 2005 God Bless America", created by Candela Capitán, was quickly removed after its release due to its explicit nature.<ref name="nowness">{{cite web|url=https://www.nowness.com/series/nowness-experiments/censored-the-1975-candela-capitan|title=Nowness Experiments: Censored|publisher=Nowness|date=26 October 2020|access-date=28 September 2020|archive-date=1 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101002236/https://www.nowness.com/series/nowness-experiments/censored-the-1975-candela-capitan|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Commercial performance ==
In the 1975's native United Kingdom, ''Notes on a Conditional Form'' debuted atop the UK Albums Chart, selling 34,000 album-equivalent units in its first week. 71 percent of their first week sales were attributed to pure album sales, including 7,000 vinyl copies–the fastest-selling vinyl record of 2020 at the time of its release. It became their fourth consecutive number one on the chart, which made the 1975 the sixth act in history to achieve this feat.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-1975-score-fourth-number-1-on-the-official-albums-chart-after-fierce-battle-with-ksi__29878/|title=The 1975 score fourth Number 1 on the Official Albums Chart after fierce battle with KSI|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=29 May 2020|access-date=7 February 2021|archive-date=30 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200530134916/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-1975-score-fourth-number-1-on-the-official-albums-chart-after-fierce-battle-with-ksi__29878/|url-status=live}}</ref> In Scotland, the album reached number one on the Scottish Albums chart.<ref name="SCO"/>
In the United States, ''Notes on a Conditional Form'' debuted at number four on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart with sales of 54,000 equivalent album units, including 39,000 pure album sales. It became the 1975's third top-five album on the chart, following ''I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It'' and ''A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9394056/wunna-wins-gunna-earns-first-no-1-album-on-billboard-200-chart|title='Wunna' Wins: Gunna Earns First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart|magazine=Billboard|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=31 May 2020|access-date=31 May 2020|archive-date=1 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601001624/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9394056/wunna-wins-gunna-earns-first-no-1-album-on-billboard-200-chart|url-status=live}}</ref> It also debuted atop the US ''Billboard'' [[Top Rock Albums]] chart and was later ranked at number 62 on the chart's year-end version.<ref name="US3"/> Elsewhere in North America, the album peaked at number 19 on the ''Billboard'' [[Canadian Albums Chart]].<ref name="CAN"/> In the Asia-Pacific region, ''Notes on a Conditional Form'' reached the top of the Australian Albums chart,<ref name="AUS"/> number four on the New Zealand Albums chart,<ref name="NZL"/> number 14 on the [[Billboard Japan|''Billboard'' Japan]] Hot Albums chart and number 17 on the Japanese Albums chart.<ref name="JA2"/><ref name="JA">{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot_albums&year=2020&month=06&day=1|title=Notes on a Conditional Form on Billboard Japan Hot Albums|work=Billboard Japan|date=1 June 2020|access-date=10 February 2021|language=ja|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809130105/http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot_albums&year=2020&month=06&day=1|url-status=live}}</ref>
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== Reception ==
=== Critical response ===
{{
<!--Ten reviews maximum-->
| ADM = 6.8/10<ref name="NOACFADM">{{Cite web|title=Notes On A Conditional Form by The 1975 reviews|url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/11408/The-1975-Notes-On-A-Conditional-Form.aspx|publisher=
| MC = 69/100<ref name="NOACFMC">{{Cite web|title=Notes on a Conditional Form by The 1975 Reviews and Tracks|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/notes-on-a-conditional-form/the-1975|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=27 May 2020}}</ref>
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
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| rev10score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="Shaffer">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/the-1975s-notes-on-a-conditional-form-1001396/|title=The 1975's 'Notes on a Conditional Form' Is a Meandering Search for Meaning|last=Shaffer|first=Claire|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=21 May 2020|access-date=5 January 2021|archive-date=9 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109000708/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/the-1975s-notes-on-a-conditional-form-1001396/|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
''Notes on a Conditional Form'' received polarised reviews from [[Music journalism|contemporary music critics]], with some deeming it confusing and chaotic, while others viewed it as "a work of panoramic genius."<ref name="DorkAlbum2020">{{cite web|url=https://www.readdork.com/features/dorks-albums-of-the-year-2020|title=Dork's Albums Of The Year 2020|work=Dork|date=15 December 2020|access-date=8 February 2021}}</ref> Aggregating website [[Metacritic]] reports a [[Standard score|normalised]] rating of 69, based on 28 critical reviews, indicating "generally favourable reviews".<ref name="NOACFMC"/>
Stubbs gave the album a perfect five-star review, describing it as boundary-pushing and "totally, refreshingly unfiltered – musically and lyrically."<ref name="Stubbs"/> He praised its confessional themes, musical diversity and subversion of expectations.<ref name="Stubbs"/> Mosk awarded the album a score of 9.7 out of 10, giving perfect scores for the music quality, production, originality, sonic diversity and lyrics, calling it: "a musical odyssey layered in sound and substance: A genreless, emotionally stirring work of art ready to be the new soundtrack to your life."<ref name="mosk1"/> More specifically, he highlighted the raw, emotionally indulgent nature of the lyrics and the ambitious, adventurous musical style, predicting it would serve as the voice of a generation.<ref name="mosk1"/> Dillon Eastoe of ''[[Gigwise]]'' extolled the band for defying the expectations placed upon them, commending the album's lyrical introspection, sonic variety and creativity, deeming it "easily the most interesting and confusing major release by an arena-selling guitar band in a long while."<ref name="EastoeAlbum">{{cite web|url=https://www.gigwise.com/reviews/3380472/album-review-the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form|title=Album Review: The 1975 – Notes On A Conditional Form|last=Eastoe|first=Dillon|work=[[Gigwise]]|date=18 May 2020|access-date=28 September 2020|archive-date=13 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813112730/https://www.gigwise.com/reviews/3380472/album-review-the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form|url-status=live}}</ref> Fitzmaurice lauded the album for defying categorization, calling it "a delightfully overstuffed collection featuring some of [the band's] best and most immediately pleasing work to date."<ref name="Fitzmaurice"/> He praised the self-references, collaborations and ability to balance the inclusion of new genres with the band's signature sound, deeming it a testament to Daniel and Healy's vision.<ref name="Fitzmaurice"/>
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Writing for ''[[PopMatters]]'', Jordan Blum gave ''Notes on a Conditional Form'' a positive review, calling the album intriguing, sprawling and chameleonic. He wrote that despite a lack of complete coherence, it demonstrated "a level of unquenchable ambition, creativity, and outspoken curiosity that's rarely felt in popular music today."<ref name="blum2"/> ''[[musicOMH]]'' editor Ross Horton awarded the album four out of five stars, writing: "If this is [the 1975's] worst album, and you might believe that it is, then they very well may be the best band in the world."<ref name="HortonAlbum"/> He commended the band's growth, maturity and willingness to take risks, but felt the album's second half was more substantial than its first.<ref name="HortonAlbum"/> Similarly, Small felt the album served as both the 1975's [[Masterpiece|opus]] and an ode to their previous albums, commenting: "if you thought [''A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships''] was an experimental risk, [''Notes on a Conditional Form''] will blow you out of the water."<ref name="Small"/> She praised the album's bold instrumentation and willingness to incorporate different genres, but was ambivalent towards the lyrics, finding them "often less than brilliant."<ref name="Small"/> Gormely scored the album eight out of ten, saying its "ambition and execution can't be denied. This is the 1975 operating at the peak of their powers."<ref name="gormely"/> While praising the personal and introspective lyrics, he viewed the album as bloated.<ref name="gormely"/> Sodomsky awarded it the same score, calling it "a long, messy experiment that just so happens to peak with some of their sharpest songs."<ref name="Sodomsky"/> He lauded the quiet, introspective lyricism and deemed the production as the band's most intricate and impressive yet, specifically praising Daniel for his role as the band's "secret weapon". However, Sodomsky felt the tracklist could be condensed.<ref name="Sodomsky"/>
Awarding the album a score of 6 out of 10, Joe Rivers of ''No Ripcord'' deemed it messy and unfocused. He felt the album was too ambitious, weighed down by a long run time, too many genres, forgettable instrumental pieces and no distinct overall concept. However, Rivers praised other aspects as "very, very good" and featured some of the best songs of the band's career, saying: "[''Notes on a Conditional Form''] is a fantastic 12 track, 45-minute album. It's just a shame that [t]he 1975 decided to make it into a 22 track, 80 minute one."<ref name="Rivers">{{cite web|url=http://www.noripcord.com/reviews/music/1975/notes-conditional-form|title=The 1975: Notes On A Conditional Form|last=Rivers|first=Joe|work=No Ripcord|date=16 June 2020|access-date=5 January 2021|archive-date=26 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926183022/http://www.noripcord.com/reviews/music/1975/notes-conditional-form|url-status=live}}</ref> Writing for [[Paste (magazine)|''Paste'']], Lizzie Manno praised the album's musical ambition, but found the lack of connecting threads made it overwhelming, inconsistent and exhaustingly chaotic, saying it was "far too ambitious and self-aware{{nbsp}}... for its own good."<ref name="Manno2"/> In his review of ''Notes on a Conditional Form'', [[Alexis Petridis]] of ''The Guardian'' commended the album's experimental nature but felt the lack of boundaries between genres was more akin to a [[Spotify]] playlist than an album.<ref name="Petridis">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/may/21/the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form-review|title=The 1975: Notes on a Conditional Form review – music for the no-filter generation|last=Petridis|first=Alexis|work=The Guardian|date=21 May 2020|access-date=31 January 2021|archive-date=23 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023095615/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/may/21/the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form-review|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' writer [[Annie Zaleski]] was receptive to the beginning of the album but criticised the instrumentals, lyrical shallowness and sequencing as it progressed, writing: "the sonic hopscotch that once amplified the group's singularity now feels like a liability."<ref name="Zaleski">{{cite web|url=https://
=== Accolades ===
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| {{center|<ref name="Guardian2020">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/dec/18/guardian-albums-and-tracks-of-2020-how-our-writers-voted|title=Guardian albums and tracks of 2020: how our writers voted|work=The Guardian|date=18 December 2020|access-date=19 January 2021|archive-date=18 December 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201218150821/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/dec/18/guardian-albums-and-tracks-of-2020-how-our-writers-voted|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
|-
! scope="row"| ''
| 2020 Albums of the Year
| data-sort-value="100"|{{center|*}}
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| Best Albums of 2020
| data-sort-value="100"|{{center|*}}
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.esquiresg.com/galleries/best-2020-music-albums-singers-artist-listen-playlist/|title=Best music albums of 2020 to have in your playlist|last=Tan|first=Derrick|work=[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]|date=10 December 2020|access-date=9 February 2021|archive-date=24 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724053329/https://www.esquiresg.com/galleries/best-2020-music-albums-singers-artist-listen-playlist/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}
|-
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== Track listing ==
All tracks are written by
* "The 1975", written by Daniel, M. Healy and Thunberg;
* "Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy)", written by Daniel, M. Healy, MacDonald, Hann, Gomez and [[Hiroshi Sato (musician)|Hiroshi Sato]];
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* "Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy)", written by Daniel, [[Lorraine Feather]], Gomez, Healy, Sato, [[Barrett Strong]] and [[Norman Whitfield]];
* "Shiny Collarbone", written by Daniel, M. Healy and [[Cutty Ranks|Philip Thomas]];
* "Bagsy Not in Net", written by Cross, Daniel and M. Healy.<ref name="BMICredits">{{cite web|url=https://repertoire.bmi.com/|title=BMI Songview Search|access-date=13 February 2021|archive-date=10 November 2000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001110125600/http://repertoire.bmi.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}
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'''The 1975'''
* [[Matty Healy|Matthew Healy]] – vocals <small>(2, 4, 6–14, 16–17, 19–22)</small>, guitar <small>(2, 8–11, 14, 16)</small>, banjo <small>(6)</small>, keyboards <small>(1)</small>, piano <small>(6)</small>
* George Daniel – drums <small>(2, 6, 8, 10–14, 16, 19, 22)</small>, backing vocals <small>(22)</small>, synthesisers <small>(2, 4–5, 7, 9, 13, 15–16, 18–19, 22)</small>, keyboards <small>(1, 7, 9–10, 13–16, 18–19)</small>, piano <small>(4, 6, 12, 18)</small>, programming <small>(1, 7, 15, 18–20)</small>, strings <small>(1)</small>, harp <small>(4, 12)</small>, vibraphone <small>(6, 12)</small>▼
* Adam Hann – guitar <small>(2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 16, 22)</small>
* Ross MacDonald – bass guitar <small>(2, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13–14, 16, 22)</small>, double bass <small>(9)</small>
▲* [[George Daniel (musician)|George Daniel]] – drums <small>(2, 6, 8, 10–14, 16, 19, 22)</small>, backing vocals <small>(22)</small>, synthesisers <small>(2, 4–5, 7, 9, 13, 15–16, 18–19, 22)</small>, keyboards <small>(1, 7, 9–10, 13–16, 18–19)</small>, piano <small>(4, 6, 12, 18)</small>, programming <small>(1, 7, 15, 18–20)</small>, strings <small>(1)</small>, harp <small>(4, 12)</small>, vibraphone <small>(6, 12)</small>
'''Producers and engineers'''
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* Ben Lester – [[pedal steel]] <small>(5, 9, 17)</small>
* [[Rashawn Ross]] – trumpet <small>(6, 9, 12, 16)</small>, flugelhorn <small>(6, 12, 16)</small>
* [[Roy Hargrove]]
* Lemar Guillary – trombone <small>(6, 16)</small>
* [[Bob Reynolds (saxophonist)|Bob Reynolds]] – tenor saxophone <small>(6, 12, 16)</small>, alto saxophone <small>(6, 12, 16)</small>
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== Charts ==
{{col-
{{col-2}}
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|-
{{album chart|Germany4|36|id=402025|artist=The 1975|album=Notes on a Conditional Form|rowheader=true|refname="GER"|access-date=29 May 2020}}
|-
!scope="row"| Greek Albums ([[IFPI Greece|IFPI]])<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ifpi.gr/charts_el.html |title=Official IFPI Charts Top-75 Albums Sales Chart Εβδομάδα: 31/2020 |publisher=[[IFPI Greece]] |language=el |access-date=April 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907060003/https://www.ifpi.gr/charts_el.html |archive-date=September 7, 2020}}</ref>
| 21
|-
{{album chart|Ireland3|2|date=20200529|rowheader=true|refname="IRE"|access-date=29 May 2020}}
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==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true | noshipments=true}}
==
* [[The 1975 discography]]
* [[List of songs by Matty Healy]]
== Notes ==
{{notelist-ua|40em}}
{{notelist}}
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== External links ==
* [https://the1975.com/noacf/ ''NOACF: The Exhibition''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201101057/https://the1975.com/noacf/ |date=1 February 2021 }} Online art exhibition to accompany the album
* [https://www.mindshower.ai/ Mindshower] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120023611/https://www.mindshower.ai/ |date=20 January 2021 }} Website to accompany the album
{{The 1975}}
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[[Category:The 1975 albums]]
[[Category:Polydor Records albums]]
[[Category:Albums postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic]]
[[Category:Albums recorded at The Church Studios]]
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