The Vanity Label
Producer: Brendan O’Brien
After achieving acclaim as a pop collaborator and fun. frontman, Nate Ruess had been all-but-solely writing hook-heavy lamentations for his original outlet The Format, with partner Sam Means. A successful attempt at maturity, the material guesses at God and parenthood and aging relationships. The overall optimism is infectious via power chords and Ruess’ unmistakable falsettos. ranks middle in the band’s catalog, though listeners will delight in this high-energy 20-year follow-up.
