Description

FontainesD.C. announce details of their highlyanticipated fourth album,ROMANCE. Released on23rdAugustviaXL Recordings,ROMANCEis the bands first album with producerJames Fordand is without doubt their most assured, inventive and sonically adventurous record yet. Its set to build on the success of the Dublinmade, now Londonbased bands acclaimed 2022 albumSkinty Fia, which reached number 1 in the UK and Irish album charts and saw the band receiving a host of accolades including International Group of the Year at the 2023 BRIT Awards.HeraldingFontainesD.C.s latest creative revolution is the explosive lead single Starburster. Inspired by a panic attack lead singerGrian Chattensuffered in Londons St Pancras station, the song is punctuated by sharp feral intakes of breath. Its propulsive beat and unrelenting lyrics establish selfdestruction as fantasy before a brief moment of sobering clarity when the drums fall away and Chatten moves from spitting, almostrap into an almostpsalm, his baritone rich and dreamy. Its accompanied by a cinematic music video from directorAube PerrieMegan Thee Stallion, Harry Styles, The Hives that captures the songs cathartic intensity to brilliant effect.ROMANCEisFontainesD.C.s most ambitious, expansive record yet, its 11 tracks constellating ideas that have been percolating amongGrian Chattenvocals,Carlos OConnellguitar,Conor Curleyguitar,Conor Deeganbass, andTom Colldrums since they releasedSkinty Fiain 2022. These ideas crystalised while touring the U.S. and Mexico with Arctic Monkeys as the five band members shared music and found a throughline with artists that deftly build out their own sprawling creative worlds the attitude and aesthetic sheen of artists like Shygirl and Sega Bodega, the bolshy sonic palettes of hip hop and heavy metal, Mos Def, AAP Ferg, OutKast and Korn. They had time apart to build more singular visions for what future music could be OConnell went to Spains CastileLa Mancha and later became a new father, while Chatten spent time in LA, and Deegan in Paris. They laid deeper roots in London. Each member spent time pushing their boundaries experimental riffs, chord progressions, and farflung lyrical references without intentions for a record.After wrapping up the US arena tour in Autumn 2023, they spent a month writing together again, three weeks of preproduction in a North London studio, and a month in a chateau close to Paris, sleeping among studio equipment, completely immersed. Fontaines D.C. Vinyl is available for home delivery from Vinyl Records London, only £21 +P&P