The Anthem of Indie Pop Irony
Released as the lead single from their 2007 debut Oracular Spectacular, "Time to Pretend" became a defining track of the late 2000s indie scene. The song is a satirical take on the rock star lifestyle, and the vocals need to reflect that irony. It's not about belting or showing off range; it's about attitude, phrasing, and tone.
Andrew VanWyngarden delivers the lines with a specific detachment. To score high on this track, you need to master the balance between singing the notes accurately and sounding effortlessly bored.
AI Coach Tip: Avoid The Vibrato
Unlike ballads, this synth-pop track requires a straight tone. Avoid using heavy vibrato on sustained notes. Keep the sound "dry" and direct to match the synthesizer lines.
Phase 1: The Verses (Low & Conversational)
The verses ("I'm feeling rough, I'm feeling raw...") sit in a comfortable speaking range for most baritones and tenors. The key here is diction. The delivery should be almost spoken-word but pitch-perfect.
The Trap: Because the melody is simple, singers often lose energy. Ensure you are supporting your breath even though the volume is moderate. Keep the rhythm tight to the driving drum beat.
Phase 2: The Chorus (The Hook)
The chorus ("This is our decision, to live fast and die young") lifts slightly in energy but maintains the coolness of the verses. The melody interacts closely with the lead synth hook.
- Placement: Keep the resonance in the front of the face (the "mask"). This gives you that cutting indie-pop sound without shouting.
- Phrasing: The lines are somewhat legato (connected). Don't chop the words up too much.
Phase 3: The Falsetto & Harmonies
While the lead vocal is mostly chest voice, the texture of the song relies heavily on background falsetto "Oohs" and high harmonies. The highest notes (up to E5) appear in these layers.
When practicing the bridge or harmony sections, switch to a light head voice. Do not try to pull your chest voice up for these high notes, or it will sound too aggressive for the genre.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main vocal melody stays relatively contained, but the background falsetto harmonies reach up to an E5.
This song is ideal for Baritones and lower Tenors. The verse sits in a very accessible range (G3-D4 area) that doesn't require high belting.
The original recording uses some vocal processing (lo-fi EQ). To mimic this acoustically, keep your soft palate slightly lowered to add a bit of nasal "twang" and avoid singing too "prettily."
