Fun. - Some Nights (Tour Edition) (13/04/2013)
After the amazing success that New York City based trio fun. have found with their second album Some Nights, they have released a tour edition version of the album featuring four bonus tracks. The album opens with the original 10 tracks and bonus track, including singles Some Nights, We Are Young and Carry On. With the new bonus tracks showcasing a softer, stripped-down side of the band’s music that was on their first album Aim & Ignite but missing from their more recent works.
For anyone who has caught up with the music charts the last year or happened to hear one of the countless ads using the song, We Are Young will most certainly be known to you. It’s a pop-rock anthem, with a catchy melody, a driving, military-esque drum track and incredibly vocals by both Nate Ruess and Janelle Monae. However, despite its massive popularity, it’s the acoustic bonus track that deserves all the glory. Slowed down, and stripped to a bare minimum of piano and guitar, this version allows Ruess and Monae’s vocals to actually shine, Monae’s backing a definite highlight of the song. Without the distraction of the overbearing pop instruments and the heavy production, we are left with a simple and truly stunning song that actually manages to translate the emotions intended by the lyrics.
Carry On opens with slow and quiet guitar and piano notes that flow beneath Ruess’ soft vocals. As the song builds, with an infectious guitar riff and a pop-anthem drum track, the strength of the message behind the lyrics really shines through. Jack Antonoff’s guitar solo, which explodes out of the earlier riff, is a highlight of the song and creates a moment of intensity and climax at the perfect time. The acoustic version differs only slightly from the original, with the same careful piano melody and impassioned vocals carrying the emotions of the song beautifully. While I’m certainly a fan of this stripped down version, the missing guitar solo is actually really disappointing despite its replacement by a beautiful piano solo from Andrew Dost, which blends perfectly into the new version.
As their newest single, Why Am I The One hasn’t quite hit the top charts, but it’s raw guitar and honest vocals make it a stand out on the album and worthy of a place in the charts. Despite its lyrics that delve into the sorrows of one’s own misfortunes, the song keeps a slightly lighter tone with the piano and guitar backing. From the opening guitar notes of the acoustic version of Why Am I The One, the change in the emotional depth from the original is clear. The stripped down track creates a darker edge within the song and a clearer feel of heartbreak and anguish that was missing from the single.
The final track, an Alvin Risk remix of We Are Young has turned the original into a techno/dance track that works surprisingly well. The change makes the track ready for the clubs and house parties, with the speed up tempo and house music touches perfect for any dance playlist.
Bethany Williams
For anyone who has caught up with the music charts the last year or happened to hear one of the countless ads using the song, We Are Young will most certainly be known to you. It’s a pop-rock anthem, with a catchy melody, a driving, military-esque drum track and incredibly vocals by both Nate Ruess and Janelle Monae. However, despite its massive popularity, it’s the acoustic bonus track that deserves all the glory. Slowed down, and stripped to a bare minimum of piano and guitar, this version allows Ruess and Monae’s vocals to actually shine, Monae’s backing a definite highlight of the song. Without the distraction of the overbearing pop instruments and the heavy production, we are left with a simple and truly stunning song that actually manages to translate the emotions intended by the lyrics.
Carry On opens with slow and quiet guitar and piano notes that flow beneath Ruess’ soft vocals. As the song builds, with an infectious guitar riff and a pop-anthem drum track, the strength of the message behind the lyrics really shines through. Jack Antonoff’s guitar solo, which explodes out of the earlier riff, is a highlight of the song and creates a moment of intensity and climax at the perfect time. The acoustic version differs only slightly from the original, with the same careful piano melody and impassioned vocals carrying the emotions of the song beautifully. While I’m certainly a fan of this stripped down version, the missing guitar solo is actually really disappointing despite its replacement by a beautiful piano solo from Andrew Dost, which blends perfectly into the new version.
As their newest single, Why Am I The One hasn’t quite hit the top charts, but it’s raw guitar and honest vocals make it a stand out on the album and worthy of a place in the charts. Despite its lyrics that delve into the sorrows of one’s own misfortunes, the song keeps a slightly lighter tone with the piano and guitar backing. From the opening guitar notes of the acoustic version of Why Am I The One, the change in the emotional depth from the original is clear. The stripped down track creates a darker edge within the song and a clearer feel of heartbreak and anguish that was missing from the single.
The final track, an Alvin Risk remix of We Are Young has turned the original into a techno/dance track that works surprisingly well. The change makes the track ready for the clubs and house parties, with the speed up tempo and house music touches perfect for any dance playlist.
Bethany Williams