Fun. Releases New Track with Janelle Monae [stream]

fun. (@ournameisfun) continues to satiate my cravings for their second album (due sometime in early 2012) by dropping little tidbits and teasers. Following a sneak peak video released last week, the band has finally released the first single, “We Are Young,” a collaboration with soon-to-be-tourmate Janelle Monae. Starting off simply with deeply pitched tribal percussion and minimal piano, by the time the first chorus rolls around the song explodes into saturated guitars and overdriven vocals. “We Are Young” definitely exhibits a new sound for fun.

They took a new approach on this album by utilizing producer Jeff Bhasker, who is known for working with artists like Kid Cudi and Alicia Keys. It will be interesting to see how much of the hip-hop influence so evident on this track will filter through to the other songs on the album. Hopefully, though, they won’t all have as many vocal effects as this one does. Nate Ruess’ voice is so powerful, it sounds best when it’s all on its own.

We Are Young – fun. featuring Janelle Monáe