More palatable than ever, Fontaines D.C’s new album Romance affirms itself as their most sonically experimental whilst leaving much to be desired in terms of the previous grit and grunge that defined their earlier work. Fontaines gives new meaning to post-punk as they move away from punk altogether into a dreamy interpretation of alternative indie pop. Where their previous album Skinty Fia possessed a more unified sound, Romance ping pongs between Britpop and synth-diluted rock.
Whilst the whimsy of Romance enchants with its layering of strings and electronic beats, it is less raw, less nuanced in lyricism, and less distinct than their previous work with the poetics, passion, and pervasive charm of Grian being all that saves them from mediocrity.
As they substitute their nonchalant dressed-down suave for shiny sportswear and statement sunnies to match their shimmery new sound, it seems these new sunglasses may be useful as Fontaines inch nearer to soaring too close to the sun. The band’s blue-collar background fades into non-existence as they abandon observing the romance of the world through an Irish lens for the exploration of the nuanced sentiments behind romance itself. Once adjusted to the tonal shift of the album, their pushing of boundaries and sonic experimentation can only be commended as they repel being pigeonholed into predictability.
With an unexpected sunnier sensibility, the aggression and rousing lyricism at the heart of their previous work is not lost in the hallucinatory melodies and ethereal absurdity of Romance. Moving away from the dread and sleaze that coloured their previous work, the haunting melancholy and cinematic vibrancy of their new sound is a testament to the refining of their craft as the band continues to evolve.
“Fontaines dc Glastonbury 2019 Williams Green Conor Curley 010” by Simoncromptonreid is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.