Bleachers’ new album, “Strange Desire”, is the side project of Jack Antonoff, lead guitarist of the indie pop band fun. Antonoff continues to grow musically with his debut Bleachers album, despite having already reached incredible success with Grammy Award-winning fun. “Strange Desire” is similar to what Antonoff previously released with fun., but still manages to stand on its own.
The first single from the album is the fast-paced “I Wanna Get Better.” This track is the anthem of the album, and could make just about anyone scream the chorus at anytime, anywhere. Despite being catchy and upbeat, “I Wanna Get Better” is able to meaningfully depict desperation and lack of contentment.
“I’m Ready to Move On/Wild Heart (Reprise),” featuring Yoko Ono, also stands out on the album. Ono opens the song, giving it a different sound from any other track on the album. Her vocals lend a softer touch to the loud piano and drums that are used throughout “Strange Desire.” Her calming nature in “I’m Ready to Move On/Wild Heart (Reprise)” is a nice contrast to the despair that Antonoff expresses throughout the rest of the album.
Antonoff closes “Strange Desire” with the song, “Who I Want You to Love.” It isn’t as upbeat as the rest of the album and ends it on a softer note. This song, along with the opening track “Wild Heart,” uses the same line, “I really want to be grateful for the experience that I had,” repeatedly. Using this line at the beginning and end of the album refers back to the theme of desperation. Bleachers’ “Strange Desire” is a high-energy, feel-good album about the desire for happiness, or, at least, the desire to feel a little bit better.