FONTAINES DC Vinilo y CD

Review: Fontaines D.C's Romance is their most ambitious and inventive album yet. The band's fourth studio effort marks their debut collaboration with producer James Ford and follows the success of 2022's Skinty Fia, which topped the UK and Irish charts. The lead single, 'Starburster,' showcases a dramatic shift in the band's sound. Inspired by frontman Grian Chatten's panic attack at St Pancras station, the track blends feral breaths, a propulsive beat, and shifting lyrical tones that transition from raw intensity to almost-psalmic introspection. Accompanied by a cinematic video from Aube Perrie, 'Starburster' highlights the album's cathartic and visceral edge. Romance reflects the band's evolution from their early punk roots to explore grungier breaks, dystopian electronica, and dreamy shoegaze textures. The album's title symbolises the band's journey from Irish-centric themes to broader existential explorations, influenced by diverse genres and experiences. With deeper, more spiritual undertones and a sonic palette that includes elements of hip-hop and heavy metal, Romance promises to challenge and expand the band's musical identity. Fontaines D.C. will support the album with a world tour, including appearances at major festivals like Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds.