Fontaines D.C.’s new album ‘Romance’ is a place for all of us

From gasps that take your breath away on “Starburster” and sweeping strings on “In The Modern World” to the haziness of “Sundowner” and the bittersweet nostalgia of “Favourite,” Fontaines D.C. maintain their trademark poetic lyricism and subversive instrumentation while shifting into new horizons on their fourth album Romance.

Although certain tracks lean into specific genres (punk, jangle-pop, shoegaze, etc.), it’s futile to try and define the album by either. A long way from the raw post-punk days of their debut album Dogrel, Fontaines are no strangers to change. They followed Dogrel with 2020’s Grammy-nominated A Hero’s Death and 2022’s Skinty Fia, their homage to Ireland. While previous albums also had a tint of romanticism, Romance embraces it on a new level, taking listeners on an expansive and unpredictable journey.

“Maybe romance is a place / For me / And you” sings Grian Chatten on the opening track – aptly named “Romance.” There’s a simultaneous feeling of possibility and doom as the track teeters between ominous piano melodies, fuzz guitars, and Chatten’s whisper-like vocals. The brief song calls to mind the grandeur of classic horror films – the ones that stood the test of time despite, and perhaps even because of, how unsettling they were.

The album then treads into familiar territory with previously released singles “Starburster” and “Here’s The Thing.” “Starburster,” while wholly addictive, has an intensity that borderlines on panic. The cadence of Chatten’s stream-of-conscious lyrics is a mix of hip-hop and spoken poetry, “I wanna bite the phone, / I wanna bleed the tone / I wanna see you alone, alone, alone-lone / I wanna strait the shark and find me somewhere to park / Like the light when it’s dark, it’s dark, it’s dark-dark.” “Here’s The Thing” is equally brash, with shredding guitars undercutting Chatten’s falsettos.

In contrast, “Desire” is a slow-burning song that lends way to dreamy vocals and strings. Everything reaches a crescendo with the repetitive lyrics, “Desire (Every 24 wretchin’ with desire) / Desire (All 24 wretchin’ with desire)” as Tom Coll’s drumming crashes in waves. “Bug” follows, with a jangly, retro sound. Perhaps the least experimental track on the album, it is nevertheless a departure from the band’s past sound.

Constant evolution is a goal close to the band’s heart. “To be creatively understood by too many people feels like flies settling all over your clothes and all over your face,” shared Chatten when talking about the album’s creation in an interview with NME. “Every now and again you have to fucking shake them off, just to see who you are again. That’s what we wanted to do.” A sentiment shared by his bandmates, the album finds inspiration in creative places.

Take “Horseness Is the Whatness” for example. Written by Carlos O’Connell, it features the ultrasound heartbeat of his daughter amidst tender string arrangements as the lyrics explore a search for meaning in the whirlwind of new life. Similarly, “Sundowner,” written by Connor Curley, is a wistful, tender track with layered harmonies that evoke a sense of existentialism. The Lana Del Rey-esque arrangement of “In The Modern World” takes existentialism to a new level, highlighting Connor Deegan on prominent vocals as the lyrics embrace numbness in the most romantic way possible.

With romance comes heartbreak – and that’s exactly what “Motorcycle Boy” reminds me of. Chatten’s voice is desperate as a ballad of acoustic guitars and piano takes the forefront, with haunting backup vocals swirling throughout the song.

“Death Kink” is a return to the gritty sound found at the beginning of the album, and one that promises to be a real head-shaker live. “Death Kink will become one of the important ones of the set,” shared Curley in an interview with Guitar.Com, “It reminds me of the Pixies, and I’m really happy with how that song turned out. It came from a chord progression I wrote in my house one night, and it has some timing tricks that make it really addictive to play.” Wired guitar riffs with idiosyncratic verses are a slap in the face after the previous melodic tracks.

“Favourite” closes out the record in smashing form, blending nostalgia and hope in a cheery tune. Chatten sees it paradoxically representing death as well, aligning with the bittersweet undercurrent of the track. While it closes the door on Romance, the track offers comfort, as if promising future doors to open.

From happiness and heartbreak to haunted memories, moments of horror, and barrels of laughs, romance is a thread that sews our lives together, delicate and ever-changing. In the case of Fontaines D.C.’s album, Romance is a place, a yearning, and a collection of songs that chronicle all of the above.

Fontaines D.C. will play at The Fillmore on October 20th; check out XPN’s Concert Calendar for more information.

Tracklist:

1. Romance
2. Starburster
3. Here’s The Thing
4. Desire
5. In The Modern World
6. Bug
7. Motorcycle Boy
8. Sundowner
9. Horseness in the Whatness
10. Death Kink
11. Favourite