If there's one thing that's clear about
Nate Ruess based on his debut solo album, 2015's
Grand Romantic, it's that he's in love, and he wants you to know all about it. Purportedly inspired by his relationship with designer Charlotte Ronson (sister of DJs
Samantha and
Mark),
Grand Romantic is a fittingly grandiose, occasionally silly, passionately effusive, and ultimately very catchy album. As the lead singer of
Fun.,
Ruess has built a fan base with songs that manage to combine the bombastic pomp of '80s arena rock, the sample aesthetic of hip-hop, and the earnestness of emo, adult contemporary, and singer/songwriter pop.
Grand Romantic is no different, and often sounds like something along the lines of a
Kanye West-meets-
Beach Boys-themed Glee episode. Working with producers
Jeff Bhasker (
West,
Bruno Mars,
Alicia Keys) and
Emile Haynie (
Lana Del Rey,
Kid Cudi),
Ruess has crafted a concept album of sorts revolving around the glory of love -- or at least, the glory of falling in love again after having your heart broken. Think of it as an antidote to the melancholy break-up anthems of contemporaries like
Adele and
Sam Smith. Musically, cuts like the melodic "What This World is Coming To" (a duet with
Beck), and the sparklingly exuberant "Harshlight," bring to mind the dynamic '80s nerd rock of bands like
REO Speedwagon and
ELO. Elsewhere, tracks like the yearning "Moment" and the dramatic title track, with their piano and orchestral flourishes, are so ornately celebratory, they're more akin to a Muppet Movie version of
Elton John. Which isn't a bad thing. Vocally, even when he sounds on the verge of tears, as on "It Gets Much Worse,"
Ruess always commands your attention. Especially on the final track "Brightside," with
Ruess cooing a high-pitched baby talk refrain of "Looka'chooo! Looka'chooo!" against a banner of harmonized "la la la's,"
Grand Romantic is the sound of a guy who is desperately, and yes, often embarrassingly in love. So much so, that the album will probably either leave you reeling with joy from the intensity of
Ruess' romantic fervor, or somewhat queasy from the off-gassing. Either way, it's almost impossible not to get caught up in his majestic pop swoon. As he sings on "Harshlight," "Nothing here is bringing me down." ~ Matt Collar