Dublin’s alt-rock darlings Fontaines D.C have made a shocking change in style with their latest album, Romance. It’s an album that is both an anxiety ridden look at an ever-changing world, as well as a positive reflection on youth.
The band have been on an upward trajectory since their first studio album Dogrel in 2019. With every subsequent release solidifying the fact that Fontaines D.C are an act to keep an eye on. Romance is a departure, but also a natural evolution of the band’s post-punk and alt-rock sound.
Even the lads style changed for Romance. Instead of their usual jumpers and jackets, they have gone for a clear 90’s rave look.
Romance contains eleven songs, clocking in at a brisk thirty seven minutes. It’s a fairly short album that doesn’t waste time by slowly introducing the listener to the main themes.
The album opens with the title track Romance, a creepy tune that throws the listener head first into the band’s new sound, follow up track Starburster builds out the atmosphere, introducing a musician motif that is used multiple times during the album, the sound of laboured breathing.
Here’s the Thing follows the fear filled second track, doubling down on the anxiety with the same breathing sound played during the verse. Subsequent track Desire ushers in the breaking point of the album, with Desire Fontains lay their cards out and demonstrate how far they’ve come.
Both Desire and In The Modern World slow the albums roll down significantly, but it’s a well needed break that only builds on the dripping atmosphere the album exudes.
Whilst Fontaines catchy hook’s may be lacking this time round, Bug has a couple memorable lines that help it to stand out as more than an average Fontaines tune.
Motorcycle Boy is an interesting side step for the band, carried by an acoustic guitar line and layered echoed vocals, it’s a memorable listen that begs to be played multiple times.
Sundowner is arguably Fontaines first foray into the Shoegaze genre, done to perfection with their distinct style. Horseness Is The Whatness is sadly the most forgettable tune in an album full of bangers, it just barely fails to hit the mark.
Death Kink sounds like it was ripped out of a 90’s goth club, it’s got some of the album’s richest lyricism and an incredibly catchy chorus you’ll be singing for days.
Romance closes in an unconventional way, ending with the brightest song of the bunch, Favourite. It’s a loving look at childhood and falling in love with life. It may seem out of place, but by digging a little deeper it’s clear this song ends the often bleak album on a high note.
If you’re looking for a memorable, heartwarming and eerie listen this Freshers, why not give Romance a chance.
Featured image credit: Ed Miles