My boss came into the office a few days ago for a chat about anything and everything whilst on shift. On long shifts, they often come and say hi, and me and this manager have a pretty similar opinions on video games and stuff, so I was looking forward to a good conversation about Fallout or something. But, this time he came in and proclaimed 'The new Fontaines D.C track slaps.' and went on to play it then and there in the office with me, at about 1am. It sounded pretty awesome through his pretty quiet phone speakers, so I went home and gave it a listen...and without further backstory, here are my thoughts on this new track Starburster.
This track opens foreboding, with the sliding synth and glassy piano notes before a slamming punk drum beat comes in. It really thumps in the low end, and gives the bass layer to the track really pop. Vocals are introduced after a couple of loops, and are more punk spoken word than singing, which I really like, especially in the lead singers Irish accent. There's a real edge to it that I love, and along with those booming drums it's a killer combination. The lyrics are disjointed, insane, and create a pretty mad portrait filled with both mundane references to parking, as well as clowns and all other insane shit. It hits the chorus, and repeats the same line over and over, with the added audible gasp from the lead singer that brings that punk vibe back to it. It almost makes it feel like a live recording, that there's some real breathiness to it instead of overproduced singers who convey their lyrics like they have bottomless lungs. It slams on and on, repetitive but none the less still keeps you hooked on it by adding a new guitar riff in the background and more atmospheric synths, before hitting a left turn, and creating a serene soundscape that devolves into a more straightforward vocal delivery. I can hear violins as he sings, and you are really taken out of that punk insanity, and then boom straight back into it for the last chorus. It's a ride, but one that's pretty bloody good and ends on a awesome breathy growl.
I've never been big on this band, but this single has got me really interested in where they're going, and I might just have to keep an ear to the ground for anything new.
Rating: 4/5
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