The Art of Neo-Soul Phrasing
"Sincerity Is Scary" is a standout track from The 1975's 2018 album A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships. Unlike the high-energy rock anthems, this song leans heavily into neo-soul, jazz, and gospel influences. Matty Healy's vocal delivery is relaxed, almost conversational, yet deceptively melodic.
To sing this well, you need to abandon rigid pop timing. The instrumentals are heavily influenced by the "drunken" beat style of J Dilla, where the snare drags slightly behind the beat. Your vocals must sit in this same pocket without rushing.
AI Coach Tip: Don't Rush!
Our analysis shows that 60% of users sing the verses too early. The groove is laid back. Practice dragging your phrasing slightly behind the kick drum to capture that "lazy" jazz feel.
Phase 1: The Verses (0:20 - 1:15)
The song stays largely in A Major. The opening lines ("You try and mask your pain...") are delivered in a chest voice range (A2-A3). The challenge is the word density. Matty packs a lot of syllables into short phrases.
The Trap: Over-enunciating. This song requires a smoother, more legato approach. Soften your consonants (T's and P's) so they don't sound percussive. Think of it as melodic talking.
Phase 2: The Falsetto Hooks
Throughout the song, specifically on lines like "Why can't we be friends?", Healy flips into a light, airy falsetto/head voice mix reaching up to C#5. This needs to be effortless.
- Volume Control: Do not push volume on the high notes. Keep it breathy and intimate.
- The Flip: Practice the transition from chest to head voice so there is no audible "break" or yodel sound.
- Irony is okay: This section sits in the passaggio. Keep your larynx neutral to avoid straining.
Phase 3: The Gospel Outro
As the song progresses, a gospel choir (The London Community Gospel Choir) joins in. When singing along to the ending, you should aim to blend rather than stand out. Open up your vowel sounds (more "Ah" and "Oh") to match the choir's resonance.
The rhythm here remains loose. Use the trumpet lines as your guide for when to breathe and when to enter the next phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest note usually hit in the main melody is a C#5 in falsetto/head voice. The chest voice stays relatively low and conversational.
It is a blend of Neo-Soul, Jazz-Pop, and R&B, differing significantly from the band's pop-rock roots.
Listen to the drums specifically. The snare drum hits slightly late. If you sing perfectly on the grid, you will sound robotic. Try to feel the "swing" of the beat.
