The release of I’M FUN! comes nearly 30 years after Ben Lee hit the music scene with his punk-rock act Noise Addict. Those of us old enough to be there have watched him grow up in front of our eyes, evolving as an artist and a human. In his 14th solo release, Ben celebrates his status as an adult, husband, and father as only he can. His sound has mellowed along with the themes, taking cues from folk and Americana. However, as Ben shows, there’s nothing wrong with slowing down.
Ben’s never going to be the sort of artist who gets boring in his old age though. He might be happily coupled up, but with “My Adventure” he reminds us that union isn’t about “settling down.” He revels in his unconventional growth in “Crooked Tree” and reflects on how far he’s come in “Arsehole.” “Parents Get High” and “The Good Stuff” also see Ben reminiscing about the past. As someone who refuses to pigeonhole my musical tastes, “Like This or Like That” struck a real chord. Each song is a beautiful snapshot of Ben’s life, exquisitely written and delivered with plenty of charm.
This isn’t quite the album Ben wanted to make. He hoped to record it with a live band, but when the pandemic took hold, like so many of us, he pivoted and started collaborating remotely with long-time friends like Jon Brion and Money Mark and emerging artists like Shamir and Georgia Maq, “who are young and lit up with creative adrenalin.” Megan Washington, Zooey Deschanel, and Eric D Johnson also make appearances. Despite the star power behind it, this album remains intimate and personal. His superstar friends are simply part of the tapestry of Ben’s remarkable life which he honours here.
Listening to I’M FUN! feels like catching up with an old friend. You hear a few stories that help you get to know them better and you have a sensational time doing it. I’M FUN! is out now.
Images used with permission from Warner Music Australia