Don't Take the Money is power pop at its very best. It's an electric, colourful piece that evokes all the things that a great pop song should. It is energising and powerful and it has a wonderfully epic feel. A generous helping of incongruence helps the piece to develop into something layered and playful. It is this aspect of playfulness that keeps Don't Take the Money from veering into the realm of something that's been done before, or something that's cheesy and establishes it as a notably thoughtful song in its genre. Bleachers draw strongly on retro pop sounds and structures that contrast with Antonoff's extremely modern songmaking style. The result is extremely listenable, fun and subtly complex. It is experimental without alienating its listeners and it is both strange and relevant.I am also struck by a sense of innocence in the song. Perhaps it's the quality of Antonoff's falsetto that creates this, but I'm certain there's something hopeful in the composition that comes across in the song's declaration of love. Certain styles of phrasing lyrics have become part of the musician's signature style and this song is no different. There is nostalgia in the lyrics and in the musical style, combined with fresh, modern elements that set his work apart as vibrant and simply put, feel good. It is the strange playfulness of the song that takes this a step further, offering us layers and depth to enjoy as we listen, and allowing its more critical listeners to keep from getting bored. Thanks Jack, for keeping things interesting!
