Fontaines D.C. have earned a reputation as a band that won’t sit still, and yet ‘Romance’ still registers as a significant transformation. Since releasing 2022’s ‘Skinty Fia’, itself a reinvention of their earlier post-punk sound, there has been a shift from baggy T-shirts and trackie bottoms to sitting front-row at Milan Fashion Week, a change of record labels from Partisan to XL, and a switching out of producers, with James Ford tagging in after recent work with The Last Dinner Party, Depeche Mode and Blur. None of this would matter, of course, if the music fell flat. It doesn’t.
The title track sets the tone with a haunting atmosphere created by a descending riff, distorted synths, and intense vocal delivery from frontman Grian Chatten. Its lyrics are every bit as heavy, with Chatten softly singing: “I pray for your kindness, your heart on a spit.” This is a bold new chapter indeed.
Lead single Starburster is marked by Chatten's primal breath, inspired by a panic attack he endured at St. Pancras station in London. The track features a compelling rhythm and unyielding lyrics that portray self-destruction as a means of escape.
In a brief moment of lucidity, the driving drumbeat recedes, enabling Chatten to shift from a swift almost-rap to a deep and resonant baritone, transforming the piece into a surreal, dreamlike experience.
Desire and In This Modern World are equally cinematic. The former gradually builds momentum with powerful drums that are later complemented by strings; sensual and full of lust, it drips with newfound confidence. Written in Los Angeles, the latter is an emotive piece that concerns a fictional throuple striving to preserve their connection in a chaotic dystopia — it reflects the alienation caused by capitalism, where individuals are frequently identified by their jobs and consumption patterns.
Death Kink’showcases a grungier side of Fontaines D.C.. Reminiscent of Nirvana, it carries a daring, confrontational spirit while staring into a reflection of a toxic relationship. Boys in the Better Land’s chord progression might have been pulled from the same era as ‘Dogrel’, the band’s debut, but fittingly it takes on a different perspective here. It’s bold, energetic, and full of undeniable swagger.
The closer Favourite feels like the credits rolling on ‘Romance’. Jangly and wistful, it’s a moment of reflection, an ode to close friends, family, and days gone by. It’s joyful but still holds an underlying sense of melancholy. It’s Fontaines D.C. in a nutshell.
Fontaines D.C. Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Tue August 27 2024 - KINGSTON UPON THAMES PRYZM Kingston
Wed August 28 2024 - LIVERPOOL Content - Liverpool
Thu August 29 2024 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Boiler Shop
Wed November 20 2024 - WOLVERHAMPTON Civic at the Halls
Fri November 22 2024 - LONDON Alexandra Palace
Sat November 23 2024 - LONDON Alexandra Palace
Sun November 24 2024 - CARDIFF Utilita Arena
Tue November 26 2024 - PLYMOUTH Pavilions
Wed November 27 2024 - NOTTINGHAM Motorpoint Arena
Fri November 29 2024 - MANCHESTER Aviva Studios Warehouse
Sat November 30 2024 - MANCHESTER Factory International
Sun December 01 2024 - MANCHESTER Aviva Studios Warehouse
Tue December 03 2024 - LEEDS first direct Arena
Wed December 04 2024 - GLASGOW OVO Hydro
Fri December 06 2024 - DUBLIN 3Arena
Sat December 07 2024 - DUBLIN 3Arena
Sat July 05 2025 - LONDON Finsbury Park
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