Content deleted Content added
m →Personnel: Consistent dashes |
m →Recording and production: replaced: loosely-defined → loosely defined |
||
| (7 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown) | |||
Line 1:
{{Short description|2020 studio album by the 1975}}
{{good article}} {{Use British English|date=August 2024}}{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox album
Line 79 ⟶ 80:
==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
{{Listen
Line 89 ⟶ 90:
| type = music
}}
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
{{multiple image
Line 105 ⟶ 106:
| caption3 = Teenage activist [[Greta Thunberg]] gives a [[climate change]] speech on "[[The 1975 (2019 song)|The 1975]]".
}}
''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>
Line 120 ⟶ 121:
| type = music
}}
Ali Shutler and Stephen Ackroyd of ''[[Dork (magazine)|Dork]]'' observed two distinct stylistic threads throughout ''Notes on a Conditional Form''. The first is [[Acoustic music|acoustic]]-driven [[alternative rock]], [[Folk music|folk]] and country music, while the second is British "nighttime" music.<ref name="dorkreview"/> Similarly, Andrew Sacher of ''[[BrooklynVegan]]'' said it combines electronic music and guitar-oriented subgenres, which Clair Biddles from ''[[The Line of Best Fit]]'' identified as [[indie rock]].<ref name="SacherAlbum"/><ref name="Biddles">{{cite web|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form-album-review|title=The 1975 fall prey to their own self-indulgent trap|last=Biddles|first=Claire|work=[[The Line of Best Fit]]|date=17 May 2020|access-date=15 January 2021|archive-date=13 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113235357/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form-album-review|url-status=live}}</ref> While Larry Fitzmaurice of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' said it is connected by [[Electropop|electronic pop]] and dance music,<ref name="Fitzmaurice">{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/music/music-reviews/1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form-review/|title=The 1975 run wild on the maximalist Notes on a Conditional Form|last=Fitzmaurice|first=Larry|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=21 May 2020|access-date=15 January 2021|archive-date=22 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200522082449/https://ew.com/music/music-reviews/1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form-review/|url-status=live}}</ref> Brendan Wetmore of ''[[Paper (magazine)|Paper]]'' argued that ''Notes on a Conditional Form'' wasn't a dance record "in any traditional or modern sense", noting it was characterised by its use of house music.<ref name="Wetmore1"/> Additionally, the album combines ambient music, [[synth-pop]], [[techno]], [[Indie pop|indie-pop]], [[Folk music|folk]],<ref name="Gordon"/> [[art rock]], [[nu metal]], [[Jungle music|jungle]], [[Britpop]],<ref name="Uproxx">{{cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/critic-polls/the-2020-uproxx-music-critics-poll/|title=The 2020 UPROXX Music Critics Poll|work=Uproxx|date=15 December 2020|access-date=15 December 2020|archive-date=15 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215211612/https://uproxx.com/critic-polls/the-2020-uproxx-music-critics-poll/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Lo-fi music|lo-fi]] house, [[Rock music|rock]],<ref name="Rafikian">{{cite web|url=https://barricademagazine.com/rail/strongreview-the-1975-emnotes-on-a-conditional-formemstrongemnbspem|title=Review: The 1975, Notes On A Conditional Form|last=Rafikian|first=Shahin|work=Barricade Magazine|date=27 May 2020|access-date=16 January 2021|archive-date=12 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612160728/https://barricademagazine.com/rail/strongreview-the-1975-emnotes-on-a-conditional-formemstrongemnbspem|url-status=live}}</ref> [[emocore]] and [[2-step garage|two-step]].<ref name="RollingInterview"/><ref name="Empire">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/may/23/the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form-review-greta-thunberg-mc-cutty-ranks-fka-twigs|title=The 1975: Notes on a Conditional Form review – an uncertain record for uncertain times|last=Empire|first=Kitty|work=The Guardian|date=23 May 2020|access-date=16 January 2021|archive-date=16 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116223949/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/may/23/the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form-review-greta-thunberg-mc-cutty-ranks-fka-twigs|url-status=live}}</ref> Unlike the 1975's previous releases, the album is heavily informed by modern country music, which influences the album's chord shapes and Healy's vocal performance.<ref name="RollingInterview"/><ref name="Wright">{{cite web|url=https://diymag.com/2019/11/01/turn-on-tune-in-drop-out-the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form-interview-matty-healy-november-2019|title=Turn On. Tune In. Drop Out: The 1975|last=Wright|first=Lisa|work=DIY|date=1 November 2019|access-date=31 December 2020|archive-date=2 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102162807/https://diymag.com/2019/11/01/turn-on-tune-in-drop-out-the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form-interview-matty-healy-november-2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Healy told
''Notes on a Conditional Form'' has a free-flowing [[Maximalism|maximalist]] structure composed of traditional songs, instrumental tracks and interludes, while [[orchestra]]l pieces and ambient electronic explorations provide the album's "connective tissue".<ref name="BBInterview"/><ref name="Fitzmaurice"/><ref name="Bosher">{{cite web|url=https://exepose.com/2020/06/02/album-review-the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form/|title=Album Review: The 1975 - Notes on a Conditional Form|last=Bosher|first=Tom|work=[[Exeposé]]|date=2 June 2020|access-date=16 January 2021|archive-date=15 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115194819/https://exepose.com/2020/06/02/album-review-the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form/|url-status=live}}</ref> It features loose, winding [[stream of consciousness]] [[song structure]]s that alternate between moments of disorder and "rigid flow"; serving as a contrast to its "tighter, more calculated" predecessor.<ref name="Rafikian"/><ref name="dorkreview"/><ref name="Small">{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2020/05/album-review-the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form/|title=The 1975's Notes on a Conditional Form Marks a Definitive Moment in Time: Review|last=Small|first=Samantha|work=[[Consequence of Sound]]|date=22 May 2020|access-date=31 December 2020|archive-date=16 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216204312/https://consequence.net/2020/05/album-review-the-1975-notes-on-a-conditional-form/|url-status=live}}</ref> The songs espouse [[neo-noir]] ambience, characterised by [[Downtempo|downcast]], anxious [[String section|string arrangements]], sonic rhymes, sudden contrasts, electronic pulses, pensive acoustic guitars, and [[Melancholia|melancholic]] orchestral flourishes.<ref name="Zoladz"/> Reflecting the band's house music influences, Daniel "[buries] and [blares] house's most beloved tropes" such as pitch-shifting nodes, shuffling UK garage beats, pounding drums, splintering strains of [[UK bass]], electronic [[Drum beat|drum patterns]], and distorted sampling techniques.<ref name="Wetmore1"/><ref name="gormely">{{cite web|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/the_1975_notes_on_a_conditional_form_album_review|title=The 1975's 'Notes on a Conditional Form' Is Less Navel Gazey Than It Has Any Right to Be|last=Gormely|first=Ian|work=[[Exclaim!]]|date=22 May 2020|access-date=14 January 2021|archive-date=2 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102162857/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/the_1975_notes_on_a_conditional_form_album_review|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Sodomsky"/>
Line 165 ⟶ 166:
=== 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'' ===
Line 191 ⟶ 192:
== 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]]
Line 216 ⟶ 217:
| 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"/>
Line 222 ⟶ 223:
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 ===
Line 634 ⟶ 635:
== Charts ==
{{col-
{{col-2}}
| |||