Album Review: Fontaines D.C - Skinty Fia
Hot off the back of their March crowning as “Best Band In The World” at the NME Awards, Fontaines D.C. are back with their third album “Skinty Fia”, a take on the band’s identity as they move out of their home town Dublin.
Fontaines D.C have always had a real sense of identity, and this has always been prevalent in the band’s music, from their debut album “Dogrel” in 2019 that burst them onto the scene as young, confident, at times cocky and always proud of their heritage, to 2020’s “A Hero’s Death” which reflected on the successes and the pressures that can come from this as well as feelings beginning to change towards the notion of “home”. This all now thrown up into the air once again with the release of the album and has once again evolved their sound.
Being an upcoming artist during a global pandemic would already be an unnerving and unsure period for most, this was increased exponentially for the boys however as the decision was made for them to move over from their hometown of Dublin, Ireland to London, England. The band continue with this uneasy theme throughout the album.
The opening song is “In ár gCroíthe go deo”, translating to “In Our Hearts Forever”. The track sets the tone for the listeners being a much slower and thought out sound, the song depicts the issues faced by an Irish family who upon a members passing, were forced to place the translation on the gravestone by the Church Of England, to ensure the phrase was not a political statement. The similar tone continues as the boys reflect upon their experience in a locked down society and how relationships and addictions can often weave the same thread in “How Cold Love Is”.
“The Couple Across The Way” is a song that beautifully looks into the idea of love from two different perspectives, that of a young couple still full of passion and desire, but currently in a tumultuous and volatile stage of common arguments and that of a perspective of a much older couple who have spent a lifetime together, but the love is still outstanding.
The boys first single release on the build-up for the album was “Jackie Down The Line”, with its doo-wap backing vocals and upbeat catchy sound almost worlds away from the lyrical content, which could be descriptive of the falling out of love and towards an abusive relationship.
The second release was “I Love You”, in which lead singer Grian Chatter sings about his love and pride of being an Irishman, alongside a feeling of guilt having achieved success to then leave and move across the Atlantic to England, a country that has been a cause of many of the issues felt in his home country, a theme which recurs throughout. In contrary, “Roman Holiday” discusses an almost disdain to living in London, and the beliefs held by many of the population.
“Bloomsday” is once again an ode to Ireland, named after the countries James Joyce day. The track portrays a bittersweet period in life in which the love you have for the town you grew up in begins to dissipate, and the realisation that you may have to move away becomes more and more prevalent.
The titular track “Skinty Fia” would not sound out of place had it been released in the 90’s and has a sound that it will blow the roof off when played live. Fontaines have captivated audiences since their burst onto the scene and there is a great number of songs on this album that will also create an incredible atmosphere. The bands closing track “Nabokov”, named after Russian novelist Vladimir Nabokov, the track is a perfect end to the album and rings of their relationship with long time producer Dan Carey and his ability to intertwine the tracks perfectly.
Whilst now on their third album, the band are still going from strength to strength. Whilst the change might be unexpected for some fans, especially people who are still expecting the originally punky sound that the band emerged with but the punk ethos is still very clearly prevalent in the group and can be seen in how they release what they want to release, they don’t want you to listen to maybe one or two singles but instead the album as a whole to really begin to feel the thoughts and feelings held whilst writing.
The band have been growing a reputation in the UK and overseas in America and this album should solidify the push. With its sad demeaner and heartfelt sound, “Skinty Fia” has real potential to go on and be an all time classic and one that really sets Fontaines D.C. apart from many alternative bands currently occupying the scene.
Words by Thomas Maclachlan
