Fun
Some Nights

No... seriously!? I almost can't believe it, yet my moody and picky ears have given their verdict and, goodness, it's more than positive! How long has it been since Pop produced something new and truly commendable? Too long, far too long: after all, the so-called mainstream is a world that has crowned Madonna as its undisputed queen for decades, ready to celebrate the media circuses of the likes of Britney Spears and Lady Gaga and even to bend over backward just to find something good in the awfully sad Kylie Minogue. A world that exalts the annoying wailing of various artists like Anastacia, Beyoncé, Amy Winehouse, Alicia Keys, and Adele, capable of selling a depressing and unbearable caricature as genius like Mika. Even on the darker wrroooccck side, with the likes of Coldplay, Oasis and derivatives, Green Day, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and other whiny bands worthy of the worst Neapolitan melodrama tradition like it's raining (Train, One Republic, The Fray...) that flood radio stations and thematic kennels. However, quoting Joan Baez, "miracles keep happening": every now and then something beautiful and positive comes to life.

The New Yorkers, Fun, are a sort of supergroup formed by former members of various bands from the American indie-pop scene, a context I have always viewed with skepticism and suspicion, and which, in any case, had never produced anything that resonated with my strings and sensitivity: until now, until this "Some Nights". A sincere pop rock, fresh, communicative, simple and stylishly refined: no dirges, no intellectual pretenses, no snobbish rock, just simple entertainment music, created with love and inspiration. Frontman Nate Ruess is part of the vast army of so-called new Freddie Mercurys, but among them, if there's one who can hold a comparison with at least dignity, it's him: he occasionally indulges in a bit too much falsetto, and after all, in modern pop rock a male singer who sings "like a man" almost seems to have become taboo, but he does it with a sense of measure and balance. He has a good timbre, a decent dose of grit and energy, and when he wants, he can also scratch; in the intro that starts the album, among pianos, overdubs, and choruses, the reference to Queen is all too obvious but pleasant to listen to, it's the right introduction to an album that presents in its tracklist truly remarkable ballads like the single "We Are Young", "All Alright", a classic lighter-waving piece under the stage, the sweet and dreamy "Carry On" and a splendid "Why Am I The One", alternating with livelier episodes like the catchy title track, which smells of a fresh and light solar essence with fun exotic shades, fun marches like "One Foot" and especially "All Alone" and ending with a touch of sophistication with the elaborate "Stars", a strange but intriguing mix between rock, electronics, and cabaret atmospheres, creative, imaginative, and elegant, which grows listen after listen.

At the end of listening to "Some Nights" I find myself feeling lighter and happy, with a big smile and 32 teeth printed on my face: it's nice to know that there are still people capable of composing such albums, maybe there's still a glimmer of hope for this blessed pop; what strikes with these Queen in jeans and a t-shirt is the ability to always find the right arrangement, the most suitable vocal interpretation: a bit of guitar in the right spots, ample doses of piano, electronics as needed, beautiful, simple melodies, the kind that stick to you and won't let go, a modern and lively sound, lyrics nothing special, love, friendships, a desire to conquer the world, and reflections, but with clarity and sincerity. This is a beautiful album, Nate Ruess & Co, you're a flower blossomed through asphalt, please, keep it up, I believe in you, it's nice to think I've found a new reality to follow with enthusiasm and passion, don't let real success ruin you, a success you would deserve and would be the rightful reward after such a beautiful album like this, as your inspirers would say, "Well they say your folks are telling you to be a superstar, but I tell you just be satisfied and stay right where you are".