Bleachers' 'Strange Desire' - The Five Best Songs
New music from indie-pop superstars Fun. is definitely in the works, considering the multi-platinum band just recently performed a brand new song, 'Harsh Lights,' on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. But during the band's time off over the past year or so, it gave each member a break from the constant spotlight and touring.
This break allowed for much needed personal endeavors - especially for guitarist Jack Antonoff. Instead of hanging around and putting music on the backburner, Antonoff got his creative juices flowing with a new band by the name of Bleachers, and he just released his debut album, Strange Desire. Strange Desire was revealed back in May via an ad posting on Craigslist. It may sound weird, but Antonoff had a pretty good explanation for it. "There's something very special about waiting for things or discovering things, like, putting an ad out on Craigslist and not blasting it everywhere and having some people discover it," he said of the posting. "I was very conscious about making an album that didn't sound like 11 singles." Now that Strange Desire is finally out for the public's consumption, does the music hold up to Antonoff's ambitions of a complete album as opposed to just hits? Though it has its fair share of radio ready jams, it excels perfectly at being one of the most consistently charismatic pop albums that'll be heard all year. With that said, here are some of Strange Desire's "can't miss" tracks.
More: Fun. performs new song live
'I Wanna Get Better'
If one Bleachers song is going to be listened to at all, it needs to be 'I Wanna Get Better' - the first track that came from the project back in February. With an addictive chorus and an awesome music video directed by 'Girls' star Lena Dunham (who is also Antonoff's girlfriend), it's a song that shows why Bleachers belongs at number one on the Top 40, and also proves that this band is more than just a Fun. side project.
More: Lena Dunham announces release date for upcoming book
'Rollercoaster'
Though Antonoff's been killing it in fun., it's hardly his first go around when it comes to being in a band. Much like his bandmate Nate Ruess and his previous act The Format, Antonoff spent years fronting the band Steel Train, and 'Rollercoaster' is one of the songs most reminiscent of Steel Train's past. The verses channeling Brand New with a chorus that would make The Gaslight Anthem jealous, this 80's sounding hybrid is going to keep your finger cemented on the repeat button.
Next page: Which other songs off 'Strange Desire' are worth the listen?
'Wild Heart'
Every great album needs a great opener, and Strange Desire definitely has one in 'Wild Heart.' The track kicks off the record with a charming intro that leads into a bombastic chorus in vein of Fun.'s 'Some Nights.' With lyrics like "No one will ever read the letters or the lies that I told from the years I was changed by crooked hearts," Antonoff displays a sense of honesty in his words unmatched by other bands in the genre, making it one of the record's best songs.
'Take Me Away'
'Take Me Away' is one of the most unique songs that is on Strange Desire. A gem found in the middle of the album, the mid-tempo ethereal jam features guest vocals from singer-songwriter Claire Boucher, also known as Grimes, and it works out perfectly. The duo's vocals, while vastly different, still manage to bounce off and complement each other effortlessly on this atmospheric, electronic track.
'Who I Want You To Love'
Strange Desire comes to a close with another standout in 'Who I Want You To Love.' Clocking in at almost five minutes long, a song that's mostly acoustic turns into an eclectic mix that acts as a jazz driven, electronic outro. Upon its conclusion, you might sit and wonder what just came through your speakers, but what's never been more clear is the mark Bleachers has made with Strange Desire on pop music this year.