Fun. guitarist Jack Antonoff's side project Bleachers' debut album starts off with a fun but slightly forgettable track titled "Wild Heart" that offers a preview of the sweeping type of '80s-inspired pop that colors the entire album.
From there, the album takes off on a 3-track whirl of unrelenting pop. "Rollercoaster" meditates on adrenaline junkie lovers, "Shadow" promises love when someone is feeling unappreciated, and "I Wanna Get Better" is the most energetic pop song of the summer about trying to better yourself. It's the kind of song that ends up with the most plays in your iTunes library because the optimism never gets old.
The instrumentals on these three tracks bring the height of the album. Almost drowned in synthesizers and drumbeat machines, the chorus "If you're feeling small, I'll love your Shadow" triumphs on the third track. And the catharsis felt in "Get Better" when Antonoff screams "I'm screaming from the bedroom window, even if it's gonna kill me" right before the song dives into a ripping guitar solo is enough to excuse buying the entire album.
But there are some struggling tracks on the album when Antonoff attempts the slow song. "Reckless Love," "Take Me Away" and "Who I Want You to Love" never really seem to get going the way the more fast paced tracks like "I Wanna Get Better" easily take off from the station. There's also a confusing guest appearance from Yoko Ono on the second to last track that doesn't seem to offer much of a pay off.
The album definitely has some misses, but dammit if the thing won't have you believing in pop music again.
Grade: B+
Download: "I Wanna Get Better," "Shadow," and "You're Still A Mystery"
Sounds Best When: You feel like your life is a movie.
