Dublin’s Fontaines D.C. announce new album ‘ROMANCE‘ with left turn single ‘Starburster‘ out now
Following up from their 2022 album ‘Skinty Fia’, Fontaines D.C. have just dropped news of their fourth album. ‘ROMANCE’ is out on 23rd August via XL Recordings.
The album came to be when touring with Arctic Monkeys in the US and Mexico and pulls from a bizarre and very intriguing lineup of influences from Shygirl to OutKast to The Prodigy. If this list sounds a bit ridiculous, have a listen to the teaser single ‘Starburster’ and see just how wild a path Fontaines are treading.
Kicking off with a grainy string sample, the track soon ramps up, with a heavy, swaggering beat, much more funky than anything we’ve heard from the band before. Throughout, the instrumental feels like a breath of fresh air for Fontaines who, while always consistent, have sometimes been held down by their sombre sound.
Frontman Grian Chatten hasn’t sounded this lively since the early ‘Dogrel’ days and it’s such a joy to see him come to life, showing off his versatility as one of indie’s most interesting voices. The rapped verses flow relentlessly into the catchy hook, with Chatten’s delivery manic and breathless (literally, as he gasps for air after each line). It gives the track a playfully sinister and out-of-control feel.
We have a gorgeous middle section. with much more melodic vocals paired with reserved strings, before the chorus hits once again in the most bizarre juxtaposition the band have ever put out. This one won’t be for everyone but to hear a band take a creative risk, even when they know their formula works, is so refreshing.
‘ROMANCE’ is out on 23rd August via XL Recordings. News of a world tour is coming soon.
Watch/Listen to ‘Starburster’ here:
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