Irish post-punk band Fontaines D.C. have announced the release of their highly anticipated, “adventurous” fourth album, Romance.
Set for release on Friday, 23 August, via XL Recordings/Remote Control, the release marks their first with a new label—their other three records were released via Partisan.
Accompanying today’s album announcement is the trip-hop-inspired first single, Starburster.
The track finds frontman Grian Chatten channelling his rap influence alongside sharp breaths, a propulsive beat and melody, and his unrelenting vocals recalling a panic attack he suffered in London’s St Pancras station. Starburster unwinds with a calm, almost mantra-like delivery of vocals and instrumentation. You can check out the music video below.
On Romance, Fontaines D.C. found inspiration in artists as diverse as OutKast and Korn and linked up with producer James Ford (Arctic Monkeys, Florence + The Machine, Foals, Depeche Mode) for their “most assured, inventive and sonically adventurous record yet”.
In a statement, bassist Conor Deegan said about the album, “We’ve always had this sense of idealism and romance.
“Each album gets further away from observing that through the lens of Ireland, as directly as [debut album] Dogrel. The second album [A Hero’s Death] is about that detachment, and the third [Skinty Fia] is about Irishness dislocated in the diaspora. Now we look to where and what else there is to be romantic about.”
Guitarist Carlos O’Connell added, “This record is about deciding what’s fantasy – the tangible world, or where you go in your mind. What represents reality more? That feels almost spiritual for us.” Meanwhile, Chatten commented, “We say things on this record we’ve wanted to say for a long time. I never feel like it’s over, but it’s nice to feel lighter.”
You can pre-order/pre-save Romance here.
Romance follows the release of the band’s critically acclaimed 2022 album, Skinty Fia, and their first-ever visit to Australia in early 2023.
In a live review of Fontaines D.C. at Sydney’s Roundhouse, The Music’s Mick Radojkovic described the long-awaited gig as “worth the wait”.
Radojkovic concluded, “Fontaines D.C’s music represents so much of the last three years, and it was encapsulated in a cathartic and visceral display before a hungry and desperate crowd. It gave us the energy and will to drive forward, just like the band have and will continue to. As we walked into the muggy night, we just hoped it was the first of many similar performances in Australia for many years.”
You can read The Music’s 2023 interview with the band here.
Fontaines D.C. were booked to perform exclusively at this year’s Splendour In The Grass before the festival was cancelled. Stay tuned for touring updates as they arrive.
