I Can Claim the Dreamer from the Dream
On the 18th of June, Fontaines DC released the second single from their upcoming fourth album ‘Romance’
‘Favourite’ saw the band embrace a new sound again, a very different sound to its predecessor ‘Starburster’. It was quite a jump and has left fans with a number of questions. However both of the songs are some of the bands best work to date. ‘Starburster’ sees the band embrace trip-hop with frontman Grian Chatten almost rapping in part.
‘Favourite’ is a more traditional Fontaines tune, the instrumentation is perfect for the summer months. The guitars in particular remind me a lot of The Cure.
The bands frontman Grian Chatten has described the song as having ‘this never ending sound to it, a continuous cycle that goes from euphoria to sadness. Two worlds that are spinning forever.
A song about life and embracing the challenges we face. Within the music video the band honour each other. Showing archive footage of their childhoods intertwined with footage from a recent trip to Madrid. Where the bands guitarist Carlos O’Connel grew up.
Reminiscing the past, and stepping back into each others lives. Parts of which they had not seen before. Commenting ‘To see people that we know as adults at such an intimate level as children we explore where we come from and who we still are.’
Lyrically this is one of the best Fontaines songs to date. I felt as if the lyrical quality really went up a level on the last album ‘Skinty Fia’, particularly on songs like ‘I Love You’.
‘Favourite’ shines lyrically. Commenting on the fast nature of change. ‘Each new day I get another year older’. ‘Every time you blink you feel a change.’
The mistreatment of the working classes ‘when they painted the town with Thatcher’.
The gentrification of cities, and the feeling of homesickness due to touring and being away from their native Ireland. ‘Cities on return are often strange’.
Its one of the best songs of 2024, this is a band operating at the very height of their powers. Fontaines DC have become one of the UK’s most important bands. With the release of ‘Romance’ in August and a sold out tour later in the year. Alongside a bucket full of festival appearances this summer. They show no sign of slowing down.
They have been making some of the best music in recent memory, and after a lot of listens. I honestly think ‘Favourite’ is their best effort, and is a real contender for song of the year.
Thank you for reading x