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fun. has always had a distinctive pop appeal, but the band’s new album, Some Nights, is truly a shameless bid for commercial success. Based on the presence of the lead single, “We Are Young,” both on radio, in commercials and on Fox’s Glee, it seems the public is responding. This album is neck deep in overpowering hooks from the opening strains of the Queen-esque title track to the up-tempo powerhouse duo of “All Alone” and “All Alright.”
Thus this album makes itself vulnerable, as its overproduced sound and questionable use of auto-tune will likely polarize listeners. There is no equivalent to the epically raw closing track, “Take Your Time Coming Home,” from the group’s first album. There is not a natural tone on this album and anyone worried about music becoming robotic and over-processed should probably stay away.
Though fun. has irritated some critics, the band has churned out a second record of perfectly catchy pop songs. Any of these 10 tracks could make a strong single, though “We Are Young” was a good choice due to its deeply contrasted chorus and celebrity guest appearance from Janelle Monáe.
On the track “It Gets Better,” singer Nate Ruess tests how annoying a vocal tone he can create, but the song is unshakable despite its defects. It is quickly contrasted with “Why Am I the One?” which might be the simplest tune and features some of the least-altered vocals, continuing the lyrical subject matter begun on the band’s debut. Most songs seem based around a powerful, but imperfect, love and overwhelming feelings of discontent and loneliness.
This may prove to be the turning point in the career of one of indie’s first supergroups. Born from the demise of The Format, Anathallo and Steel Train, fun. has been slowly gaining success since it formed in 2008 and it seems that three years of steady touring and self-promotion are finally paying off. Some Nights is the commercial boost the band needs, though the production and placement of songs on Glee calls the band’s artistic integrity into question.
