Milk (The 1975 song)

"Milk" is a song by English band the 1975, originally included as a hidden track on the band's second extended play (EP), Sex (2012). The song was written by Matty Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald. The 1975 produced it alongside Michael and Robert Coles. In 2013, the song served as the B-side on a limited edition 7-inch vinyl single for the Neighbourhood's "No Grey". A remastered version of the song was released as a standalone track on 6 October 2017.

"Milk"
Song by the 1975
from the EP Sex
A-side"No Grey"
Released6 October 2017
GenrePop rock
Length2:13
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)

A pop rock song, "Milk" contains elements of electro and shoegaze. The song is characterised by its extensive use of guitars, while the lyrics deal with themes of drugs. Upon release, the song received generally positive reviews from contemporary music critics, who praised its inclusion as a hidden track. The song has since become a fan-favourite among the 1975's fanbase. To promote the song, the band performed it live at London's Garage during a February 2019 charity show in support of War Child.

Background and composition

In 2012, the 1975 began a process of releasing three extended plays (EP) leading to their eponymous debut album (2013).[1] The band's second EP Sex was released on 19 November 2012 and includes "Milk" as a hidden track.[2] The song was later included on the deluxe version of The 1975.[3] Coinciding with their first headlining tour in 2013, American band the Neighbourhood released three limited-edition 7-inch vinyl singles, with the B-sides containing songs from their supporting acts. For the shows featuring the 1975, "No Grey" was released as the A-side while "Milk" was selected as the B-side.[4] The pressing was extremely limited and sold only at the aforementioned shows, prompting fans of the 1975 to request a re-press.[5][6] Although Healy did not know "that [the vinyl single] was so requested", he was against releasing more since the limited pressing makes the original copies "more special and valuable".[6] Without a proper announcement, the 1975 uploaded a remastered standalone version of "Milk" to music streaming services on 6 October 2017.[3][7]

Musically, "Milk" is a guitar-heavy pop rock song that contains elements of electro and shoegaze, and has a length of two minutes and thirteen seconds.[2][8][9][10] It represents the last two minutes and twelve seconds of "You", the final track on Sex.[2] The song was written by George Daniel, Matty Healy, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald, while the band handled the production alongside Michael and Robert Coles.[11] Lyrically, the track incorporates themes of drugs and sex.[9]

Critical reception and promotion

Upon release, "Milk" was met with generally positive reviews from contemporary music critics and has since gained the status of a fan-favourite among the 1975's fanbase.[12] In NME's list of the band's best songs, "Milk" was ranked at number nine; Tom Connick called the song one of the 1975's best "early bangers" and said the track's "well-trodden" topics are "handled with a front-and-centre pop sensibility".[9] The editorial staff of the Alternative Press praised the inclusion of "Milk" as a hidden track at the end of "You", describing it as "hidden... like a sweet dessert".[13] Writing for Consequence, Amanda Koellner said the song "tone[s] things down a bit while holding onto the guitar-heavy, more traditional sound that the latter half of [Sex] offers".[8] Amy Jones of Hit the Floor Magazine wrote that despite the track's short length, it "has a lot packed into it".[2] Paste's Shaina Pearlman deemed "Milk" a brief and "danceable" track that "concludes the EP's upward trajectory".[14] Bre Offenberger, writing for The Post, asserted the song "is basically a jam about cocaine" and listed it at number 19 in a ranking of the band's catalogue.[15] In February 2019, the 1975 performed "Milk" at London's Garage in the middle of a charity show for War Child and BRITs Week. In his coverage of the performance, Connick noted the song was "stripped free of the musical excess and wordy nature that present-day 1975 thrive on", going on to say the audience's reaction "cut to the heart of what makes [t]he 1975 so special".[12]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[11]

  • Matthew Healy – composer, guitar, piano, vocals, producer
  • George Daniel – composer, programming, drums, synthesizer, producer
  • Adam Hann – composer, guitar, producer
  • Ross MacDonald – composer, bass guitar, producer
  • Michael Coles – producer
  • Robert Coles – producer
  • Mike Crossey – mixer
  • Robin Schmidt – mastering engineer

See also

References
  1. "Interview w/ The 1975". Blah Blah Blah Science. 15 October 2012. Archived from the original on 19 July 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  2. Jones, Amy (25 November 2012). "Review: The 1975 – Sex (EP)". Hit the Floor Magazine. Archived from the original on 17 August 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  3. Dickman, Maggie (6 October 2017). "A previously hidden 1975 track just surfaced on Spotify". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on 14 December 2019. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  4. Ortiz, Edwin (4 June 2013). "Premiere: The Neighbourhood 'No Grey' & The 1975 'Milk'". Complex. Archived from the original on 29 December 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  5. Baggs, Michael (4 June 2013). "Listen: The 1975 debut new track 'Milk' for US EP release". Gigwise. Archived from the original on 25 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  6. Riddell, Rose (20 June 2016). "Matty Healy compares The 1975's 'Milk' vinyl to Furbies". Coup de Main. Archived from the original on 30 July 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  7. Dickman, Maggie (20 October 2017). "The 1975 reveal why their new album is going to be called 'Music For Cars'". Alternative Press. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  8. Koellner, Amanda (19 November 2012). "Album Review: The 1975 – Sex EP". Consequence. Archived from the original on 13 May 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  9. Connick, Tom (20 February 2019). "The 1975 – their 10 best songs". NME. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  10. "Milk – The 1975". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 31 August 2019. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  11. "Milk – The 1975". Tidal. 16 December 2016. Archived from the original on 25 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  12. Connick, Tom (19 February 2019). "The 1975 air B-sides, rarities and bonanza of fan-pleasing early material at riotous London Garage show". NME. Archived from the original on 25 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  13. "Here are 10 essential songs by the 1975". Alternative Press. 3 August 2017. Archived from the original on 16 September 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  14. Pearlman, Shaina (20 November 2012). "The 1975: Sex EP". Paste. Archived from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  15. Offenberger, Bre (28 August 2020). "Every song by The 1975, ranked". The Post. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
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