Album Review Bleachers - Take The Sadness Out Of Saturday Night

By now, it’s no secret that Jack Antonoff is quite the pop connoisseur. One look at his CV is proof enough of his talent when it comes to creating iconic, unforgettable moments in music; whether that be through his tremendous list of production credits (Taylor, Lorde, Lana, the list goes on…) or his infectious solo offerings. Yet, after a year like the one we’ve just had, a return to the fizzing brand of euphoric-yet-introspective pop that helped define Bleachers’ previous albums ‘Strange Desire’ and ‘Gone Now’ arguably wouldn’t have felt right. Instead, ‘Take The Sadness Out Of Saturday Night’ attempts to do what it says on the tin, transforming the darkness of our lives into something more serene and comforting. Still gorgeously doused in nostalgia, there’s a real organic heart to the record, with the sparkling synths of his past work instead swapped out for warm guitars, delicate strings and bright sax solos. Bruce Springsteen’s appearance on ‘chinatown’ feels both monumental and completely natural, while his influence is felt throughout the likes of ‘Big Life’ and the Lana Del Rey-featuring ‘Don’t Go Dark’. Lead single ‘Stop Making This Hurt’ is a cathartic highlight, its effervescent chorus akin to the likes of ‘I Wanna Get Better’ and ‘Don’t Take The Money’. And while ‘Take The Sadness…’ may not be a bolshy, career-defining move, it is a shimmering, reflective gem, hoping to offer a little relief from the darkness.