Fontaines D.C. Share New Album 'Romance'

Phenomenons of Irish post-punk Fontaines D.C. grace our wintery Friday with the follow up to their almost universally hailed 2022 album Skinty Fia. There's nothing remotely small scale about the emotional expanses of their fourth album Romance, laid down with production heavyweight James Ford (Arctic Monkeys, Depeche Mode, Blur), the Dublin five-piece's debut release on XL Recordings.

Ballads are often the maker or breaker of a globally ambitious group — new single and album centre-piece 'In The Modern World' rises to the occasion with sweeping and swoony flair. Singalong strummers such as 'Motorcycle Boy' and 'Favourite' feel like gazing deeply within a darkened Britpop prism, while rowdier numbers like current SRN staple 'Starburster' hit hard with an almost Madchester-like swagger. Last here in Aotearoa in early 2023, surely it's time for Grian Chatten, Conor Curley, Conor Deegan III, Tom Coll and Carlos O'Connell to treat fans to a return visit down under. Every song feels like a standout, listen up and grip Romance on all imaginable formats HERE, and / or at your favourite local record shops...

'Romance' is out today via XL Recordings.