The trio “Fun” is from New York City. They are being promoted as a fresh new sound—re-inventors of the ‘70’s style of groups like Queen. I find myself baffled by some of the descriptors of current pop music. The terminology that is used for this group is such an example. Below is how Wikipedia described Fun.’s music.
Fun. (the period is intentional) was discovered by the music producer Jeff Bhasker who is known for his work with Beyoncé. What he did with Fun. was to give the group “a more lush sonic pattern.” He likes to add “low synthesizer sounds” and he uses a “pitch corrective device” to make the lead singer sound more “robotic.” The drums in this song are “totally synthetic.” According to Nate Reuss, the lead singer of Fun., the music is a “merger of electronic effects and theatrical pop-rock like the 70’s group Queen.”
I can understand more traditional terms to analyze music like harmony, syncopation and improvisation, but the vocabulary of new music like Fun.’s. is revolutionary. So, for me, the best way to deal with it is the old-fashioned way which is to listen with an open mind and see if you like it. I did that and I do like the recording—very much. See if you do.
Here is Fun.’s mega-hit “We are Young.” It quickly rose to the top of the charts. Janelle Monae, a 26 year old pop-rock singer, is the guest vocalist. —Paul Goldfinger
