DaBaby’s latest music video sparks controversy and meeting with Mecklenberg sheriff

The 1975’s upcoming music “is very different,” according to someone who’s already had an early listen.

Frontman Matty Healy’s mother, actress Denise Welch, revealed she’s heard what the band has been working on while they’ve been taking a break from touring.

Speaking to the Daily Star at the Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards – powered by Jaguar – on Wednesday (October 8, 2025), she said: “It’s fabulous. It’s very different, but it’s got the DNA of the 1975, I think you’ll love it.”

The band’s most recent studio release was 2022’s Being Funny in a Foreign Language.

Denise also shared a personal detail about her son’s life on the road, explaining that she often ends up taking care of his pet rat, Splinters, when the band is touring.

She said: “I’m a grandmother to a rat. There was two. One was called Bobby Robson who was a Geordie rat from Los Angeles. But sadly Bobby died, but Splinters is still flying the flag. They have a rat-sitter who moves in when they’re away. I don't mind a pet rat I’m very fond of Splinters.”

The 67-year-old actress was also asked about Matty’s former girlfriend Taylor Swift and her latest album The Life of a Showgirl, but she declined to say anything.

She said: “I plead the fifth on anything to do with that!”

Denise had previously spoken about the situation during the release of one of Taylor’s earlier records.

Matty, 36, and Taylor, 35, briefly dated after her split from actor Joe Alwyn in April 2023.

Taylor later referenced their short-lived relationship on her 2024 album The Tortured Poets Department.

During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live, Denise expressed that it was difficult for Matty to stay silent while Taylor addressed their time together in her music.

She said: “Obviously, on pain of death can I talk about that episode, but being her mother-in-law is a role that I am glad I lost. Not that I have anything against [Taylor] at all! It was just – it was tricky. Listen, you're not allowed to say anything, and then she [Taylor] writes a whole album about it.”