Label: Partisan Records
Release Date: 9th June 2020
Rating: 9/10
"'I Don’t Belong' shows a musical progression from Dogrel without compromising their distinct, genre-defying sound that paves the way for one of the most highly-anticipated albums of the year."
This week, Fontaines D.C released 'I Don’t Belong', the second single from their upcoming album A Hero’s Death which is set to be released on the 31st of July. After bursting onto the alternative scene last year with their critically acclaimed debut Dogrel, earning them a Mercury Prize nomination, the Irish post-punk band proved themselves to be the ones to watch in 2019. 'I Don’t Belong' is an enchanting taste of the album to come, which promises even bigger and better things from Fontaines D.C.
Where 'A Hero’s Death' was grand and life-affirming, 'I Don’t Belong' twists itself into something darker and more ominous. The dominating bassline drives the colder atmosphere of the song, and the understated guitars are reminiscent of The Cure’s early forays into goth-rock in Seventeen Seconds and Faith. However, the song is not overpowered by its influences, and lead vocalist Grian Chatten’s instantly recognisable vocals make it distinctly Fontaines D.C. The YouTube comments on the music video list off all of the "vibes" that this song has, from The Fall to Sonic Youth, but this fails to recognise the bands seemingly limitless capacity to revitalise guitar music for the modern audience.
A nod to their roots in poetry and a reminder of the storytelling that I loved in Dogrel, 'I Don’t Belong' is also another example of the captivating lyricism that Fontaines D.C. brings to the table. The verses are led by characters linked together by the titular mantra of "I don’t belong to anyone" in the chorus. Like the "life ain’t always empty" mantra of 'A Hero’s Death', these are simple lyrics that grab attention, something I’m definitely looking forward to hearing more of in the album.
Fontaines D.C have no need to worry about suffering a hero’s death. 'I Don’t Belong' shows a musical progression from Dogrel without compromising their distinct, genre-defying sound that paves the way for one of the most highly-anticipated albums of the year.
Words by Vicky Greer
12th June 2020.
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