Fontaines D.C. – Romance
The Irish post-punk group Fontaines D.C. has for years been among the most leading bands of the current British and Irish guitar wave. From their raw debut, the quintet from Dublin has undergone an impressive evolution, where socio-critical poetry and abrasive guitars gradually made way for grander and more melodious soundscapes. With their upcoming full-length album “Romance”, the band definitively opens a new chapter. The raw street-corner aesthetic makes way for a compelling, sometimes melancholic sound that dares to experiment with grandeur and drama.
The album opens with the heavy, hypnotising title track “Romance”, in which floaty synths and a dragging drumbeat set a dark atmosphere. It is a clear statement of what awaits the listener. One of the absolute highlights is the single “Starburster”, a song that builds on a brooding, almost hip-hop-like beat in which frontman Grian Chatten delivers his lyrics with remarkable intensity. The oppressive breathing sounds in the chorus reinforce the feeling of a panic attack, which is musically captured fantastically by a sudden explosion of strings and guitars.
Another striking track is “Favourite”, in which the band displays their most accessible and dreamy side instead. The shimmering guitar lines and melancholic vocal lines evoke memories of classic jangle pop from the eighties, whilst the lyric muses on the past, change and the passing of time. The contrast between these lighter songs and the heavier, more industrial tracks ensures that the album remains exciting until the very last second. The production is layered and extremely refined, without the band losing their recognisable identity.
Towards the conclusion, the group proves that their drive for innovation pays off. Fontaines D.C. delivers with “Romance” a mature, courageous album that transcends the expectations of the post-punk genre. It is an artistic masterpiece that shows how a driven band can reinvent itself without losing its musical soul. (9/10) (XL Recordings)
