Mastering the "Millennial Anthem"
Released as the lead single from A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships, "Give Yourself a Try" is defined by its aggressive, distorted guitar hook (referencing Joy Division) and Matty Healy's stream-of-consciousness lyrical delivery. Unlike a traditional pop ballad, this song demands attitude, rhythm, and breath stamina.
To sing this well, you need to focus less on "perfect" pitch and more on the conversational pacing. It sits comfortably in a Tenor/Baritone chest range, but the challenge is fitting all the words into the bars without sounding rushed.
AI Coach Tip: Phrasing over Power
Many singers run out of breath during the verses. Our analysis shows that taking micro-breaths at punctuation marks—rather than trying to sing the whole verse in one go—improves timing scores by 15%.
Phase 1: The Conversational Verse
The verses are sung in a B Major key but feel almost spoken. The line "You learn a couple things when you get to my age" sets the tone. It's rapid-fire.
The Trap: Over-enunciating. Matty Healy often slurs words slightly or softens consonants to maintain the rhythmic flow. If you articulate every single letter perfectly, you will drag behind the beat. Keep it loose.
Phase 2: The Chorus Lift
The chorus ("Won't you give yourself a try?") lifts the melody up to a G#4. This is the emotional peak. While the verses are dry and conversational, the chorus needs more "ping" and resonance.
- Resonance: Aim for a forward, bright placement in your mask (the front of your face).
- The "Try": The vowel sound on "Try" should be open (think "Ah" more than "Eye") to avoid tension at the top of the range.
Phase 3: The Attitude
This song is Post-Punk / Indie Rock. A clean, operatic tone will sound wrong here. You want to introduce a slight "edge" or grit to your voice, particularly on the attacks of words. Think of it as singing with a smirk.
The AI Coach monitors your "Spectral Tilt" to determine if you are singing too cleanly or if you are achieving that authentic indie timbre.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest consistent note is a G#4 (in the chorus on "won't"). There are no falsetto gymnastics here; it is a driving chest-voice song.
Not necessarily, but Matty Healy's accent shapes his vowels (making them tighter/brighter). If you sing with very wide American vowels, it might change the rhythmic pocket. Focus on vowel shape rather than mimicking an accent.
Practice the verses at 75% speed in the Singing Coach AI app. Mark exactly where you will breathe on the lyric sheet, and stick to it.
