Breaking news, Nate Ruess fans!  Pop-rock trio fun. has a new album coming out next year and has recently released a video through Complex magazine previewing the currently untitled album.  The video features the band in the studio with producer Jeff Bhasker (Alicia Keys, Kid Cudi), and gets you up close and personal with the making of what is sure to be a killer second album.

Now, for a prodding questions. Steven McDonald–bassist for band OFF!–produced previous fun. album Aim and Ignite and The Format’s Dog Problems, helping to maintain and expand upon what I believe is an incredible and original sound. So, what do you guys think of the established and reputable Bhasker as a producer? (He helped produce Kanye’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.) With such a clear reputation for mainstream pop, r&b, and hip hop, all I can think is “will Bhasker turn fun. into a glittery, soulless mess of Top 40 pop singles?” Hopefully not. It should be interesting to see the resulting album, which will hopefully keep fun.’s unique, offbeat yet paradoxically true to style pop intact.  Leave me a comment–I’m curious to see what readers think.

fun. is heading on tour supporting Janelle Monae this fall on the Campus Consciousness Tour (“The Campus Consciousness Tour [CCT] is half music, half environmental/social consciousness campaign aimed to inspire and activate students in a fun and exciting atmosphere while leaving a positive impact on each community and college that the tour reaches.”). Here are the confirmed dates:

October 1 – University of Rochester
October 2 – Cornell University
October 3 – Clark University
October 7 – Mercer University
October 15 – Indiana University
October 18 – Ohio University
October 20 – University of Maine
(More dates to be confirmed)

Also, fun. has just release the cover art for their first single off the new album, “We Are Young,” featuring Janelle Monae.  This single will be available for download this coming Tuesday (9/20). Excitement ensues!