Fontaines D.C., the amazing Irish post-punk band just released their fourth album, Romance. We were expecting this new opus for months and we have to say, it didn’t disappoint.
The members of Fontaines D.C. are renowned for constantly pushing their creative limits. With each album, they craft a new world, and Romance is no exception. Though less dark than their previous work, this record is an introspective one. It’s a superb blend of guitars, strings, and haunting vocals, beautifully exploring themes of grief and melancholy.
Who are Fontaines D.C., exactly?
What you haven’t heard of them, already? Never mind, we’re here for you!
Fontaines D.C. have been shaking up the music scene since 2017. Coming from Dublin, these lads—Grian Chatten (vocals), Carlos O’Connell (guitar), Conor Curley (guitar), Conor Deegan III (bass), and Tom Coll (drums)—serve a gritty post-punk filled with poetic lyrics (they’re big fans of James Joyce and Yeats).
Their debut record, Dogrel (2019), put them on the map. Then came A Hero’s Death (2020), showing off a moodier side. Known for their ever-evolving sound, the band is one of the raddest bands out there.
Why you should discover Romance
Fontaines D.C. have returned with Romance, a both tender and raw album that feels like a love letter to melancholy. Known for their post-punk grit, the band takes a slightly softer, more introspective turn here, without losing the intensity that has made them stand out in the genre.
Produced by James Ford, Romance was recorded in France in La Frette. The album is generous in sound, with every instrument falling perfectly into place. The first single, Starbuster, is a real punch in the face. With its guttural breathing and anxious lyrics, this fantastic song demands to be played on repeat.
With Romance, Fontaines D.C. push their boundaries but stay far from the political fury of Skinty Fia. The album is loaded with haunting melody and an indie movie vibe that instantly pulls the listener in. Grian Chatten’s vocals, more subtle than on previous records, underline the rich instrumentation of the record.
Romance brings so many emotions to the table: the lyrics evoke pain, loss, being human, and being in love. In this sophisticated album, every tune gracefully experiments with indie and punk music and you can even find touches of hip-hop and electronic music. We have a thing for the melancholic In The Modern World, the catchy Here’s The Thing, the bittersweet Desire, and the amazing Favourite.
The critics were fairly good and many claim it’s Fontaines D.C. work so far:
- “The brilliance of Romance lies in its unsettling blend of antic energy with refined craft—in the depths of detachment, Fontaines D.C. strikes an engaging pose” (PitchFork).
- “The band are just as potent when the intensity drops a notch, as on the plaintive Horseness Is the Whatness. Their most outward-looking, most complete, most rewarding album to date”(The Guardian).
- “Romance finds Fontaines D.C. running through a thick smog of anxiety and doom, sending up a slew of questions about what the point of it all even is. It seems like they’ve known the answer all along” (Rolling Stone)
Of course, this record deserves cake so we whipped up a delicate treat for the band, in collab with our pals from Radio Freccia.
What’s your favorite song on this album?
