“Some Nights,” fun.’s sophomore effort, starts off with a Freddie Mercury-style rock-opera ballad that sets the bar high for the remainder of the album. Applause at the beginning and end of the track make it a grand announcement of sorts, exclaiming that fun. is ready to play. The momentum carries over to the choir-like title track through the hit single “We Are Young,” which features Janelle Monáe, and leaks onto the fourth song, “Carry On.” Unfortunately, the excitement and grandeur of the first half of “Some Nights” doesn’t appear in the second. Final track “Stars” starts off with a bang like the first half of the album, but by the end it’s turned into an auto-tuned mess. A mediocre second half keeps this otherwise excellent album from a better score.
Grade: B