fun., ‘Some Nights’ – Top Albums of 2012

The disempowering of major labels due to the digital revolution has caused, among other trends, a blurring between the lines of indie and mainstream pop. A symbol of that interweaving is the auto-showtune, Kanye-meets-Queen ballast of fun., featuring power-piped frontman Nate Ruess. Dude was a member the Format, who spent the ‘00s cultivating a small following. Seems it’s a good thing they dissolved, as fun. have been occupying the charts, our ears and award show stages all year.

While Janelle Monae-featured lead single ‘We Are Young’ has already gone ubiquitous, the real gem of the album is the title track, complete with its operatic two-minute intro, opening up into a many-layered, cyborg-gospel chorus.