Fontaines D.C. Release New Single ‘Favourite’
Irish rockers Fontaines D.C. released another single, “Favourite,” from their upcoming album Romance. The complete album will be released on August 23, and with two singles out, two new music videos, and more than one tour on the horizon, we couldn’t be more excited.
The music video accompanying “Favourite” is set in guitarist Carlos O’Connell’s old stomping grounds, Madrid. While O’Connell was coming of age in sunny Spain, fellow band members Conor Deegan III (bass) and Tom Coll (drums) grew up in Castlebar, Ireland. Lead singer and primary lyricist Grian Chatten hails from north of Dublin, and guitarist Conor Curley has roots in Emyvale, Ireland. The band’s Irish identity is prominent in their lyric and sonic corpus, with Chatten’s distinct Dublin accent front and center.
Although the band shares an Irish identity, they didn’t grow up together, a fact considered in their newest music video. The video follows the band’s trip to Madrid, where they appreciate local culture, with home videos from childhood interspersed between clips.
The grainy childhood footage occasionally features the band members singing or performing for their families, prophesying their talent. The song is already being hailed as the song of the summer, with fans sharing their appreciation online.
favourite by fontaines is so good oh my god AND I WILL HEAR IT LIVE IN FOUR DAYSSSS
— julia³ • FONTAINES DC (@tthethingsido) June 14, 2024
The music video and the song notably contrast the first single from Romance, “Starburster,” released in April. “Starburster” is just as addictively catchy as “Favourite” but sonically more ferocious and experimental, with a surreal, violent music video to match. The fact that it coexists on an album with the warm, bittersweet “Favourite” is a testament to the band’s creativity.
Fontaines D.C.’s imagination has been a constant since they released their first studio album, Dogrel, in 2019. The title references doggerel, a style of poetry coined by the Irish working class, reported Crack.
The group has no shortage of inspiration, from James Joyce (referenced in their song “Boys in the Better Land”) to director Paolo Sorrentino. Yet, they proudly remain undefinable, according to Crack. Their ability to draw inspiration from many sources and their vast inner worlds allows them to elude categorization.
It seems we’re in for another wild, post-punk ride with Romance. The band is hitting the road with a U.S. tour in September, followed closely by tours in the U.K. and Europe through December.
This crew is no stranger to hard-hitting tours. Among other ventures, they accompanied Arctic Monkeys on their 2023 North American tour. As a bonus, three special shows have been announced in Kingston, Liverpool, and Newcastle in late August.
Album and ticket bundles on sale tomorrow 10am. https://t.co/2kv2V3ilYv pic.twitter.com/xIRsSD8rXN
— Fontaines D.C. (@fontainesdublin) June 20, 2024
Despite comparisons to the Cure, Pixies, and even Korn, there’s only one Fontaines D.C. There’s so much that distinguishes Fontaines D.C. from the bulk of the music scene, including their political voice.
On July 1, the group will release a limited-edition vinyl with Massive Attack and Young Fathers, with plans to donate 100% of the proceeds to Doctors Without Borders. This admirable choice supports the organization’s work in Gaza in the spirit of a ceasefire.
It’s already been a great summer for music, from Foster the People’s new single to Chaka Khan’s Tiny Desk Special—not to mention Charli XCX’s latest album, Brat. We can’t wait to see what else is in store.
Fans can pre-save Romance here.
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