Romance

Romance marks the fourth studio album by the acclaimed Irish rock band Fontaines D.C., released on August 23, 2024, under XL Recordings. The album’s conception began as the band decided to depart from the Irish-centric themes that characterized their earlier work, embracing a more futuristic and dystopian narrative. Frontman Grian Chatten shared that it was challenging to “sound like Ireland” while crafting an album rooted in themes of modernization and romanticized desolation. The songwriting process, which evolved gradually while on tour, took on a fresh “spiritual form” with the track “In the Modern World,” where Chatten said he could “hear the buildings collapsing.” Chatten described the creative experience as akin to soundtracking a city he had grown to understand in vivid detail, a combination of “color, year, atmosphere, and temperature” that helped shape the album’s unique sonic landscape.

The album’s lead single, “Starburster,” debuted on April 17, 2024, showcasing a new sonic direction inspired by influences like Deftones and Alice in Chains, incorporating a surprising rap element that Chatten credited to Korn’s tongue-in-cheek style. Tracks like “Here’s the Thing” and “In the Modern World” illustrate the band’s shift towards a more cinematic approach, with references to Japanese manga, Italian cinema, and dystopian atmospheres. The song “In the Modern World,” for instance, drew heavily from the apocalyptic emotion in the Japanese anime Akira, while guitarist Conor Deegan described the track as evoking a scene from On the Road, steeped in Americana’s gritty imagery.

Expanding on visual themes, the album’s horror-inspired music video for “Here’s the Thing” drew comparisons to films like The Lost Boys and Phenomena. Directed by Luna Carmoon, the video used Dario Argento’s Phenomena as its main influence, pairing the hyper-femininity of Irish dancing with eerie, violent undertones to emphasize the album’s dark, romantic essence. The track “Favourite” also became a notable standout with its jangly guitars and “sound-of-the-summer” appeal, drawing comparisons to The Cure’s shoegaze style and named by Record Collector’s Shaun Curran as one of the best songs on the album.

The critical reception to Romance was overwhelmingly positive. Alexis Petridis from The Guardian hailed it as “album of the week,” awarding it five stars and calling it Fontaines D.C.’s most approachable record yet, while still retaining the band’s potent, aggressive energy. Likewise, Tony Clayton-Lea from The Irish Times awarded the album 4.5 stars, applauding the band’s evolution and courage to depart from familiar territory. NME praised Romance as Fontaines D.C.’s “most considered and intricately crafted release yet,” awarding it five stars for capturing the album’s titular “devastating duality.”

The album’s influences are as diverse as its themes, drawing on Dylan Thomas, the book Land Sickness by Nikolaj Schultz, and classic cinema, from Sunset Boulevard to Wings of Desire. Each band member brought unique musical influences to the project, from Conor Curley’s Massive Attack and Portishead leanings to drummer Tom Coll’s blend of grunge and hip-hop. Romance is also the band’s first album produced by James Ford, marking a fresh collaboration after their departure from Partisan Records. Ford’s influence helped push the band away from their previous “if we can’t play it live, let’s not do it” mentality, expanding their sound into more experimental territory.

In Romance, Fontaines D.C. combines cinematic atmospheres, intense lyricism, and innovative soundscapes to chart a bold, creative evolution that continues to resonate powerfully with critics and fans alike.