If you read my review of 'Starburster' way back when it first came out, I'm pretty sure I said something along the lines of 'I'll keep my ear to the ground for anything new'. Since then, dear reader, there have been no less than two new singles I simply forgot to write about, one of which I really enjoyed. So when I found the opportunity to sit down and really listen to this record which I've been quietly anticipating, I also finally shed the mental load of a song I enjoyed thoroughly and never came about to reviewing. VINDICATION! Anyway, enough of that, here's my track by track breakdown and review of 'Romance' :
1. Romance - 2:33
There's a real foreboding tone to the title track that feels sinister and volatile. Between the insane rises of the orchestral piece and the underlying shaking sound effects, when the vocals join in it creates an atmospheric experience unlike anything else. The background synth really lifts the song into a new dimension, adding some nice texture to the mix. Lyrics wise it's repetitive sure, but when it comes to the motifs of this track, it seems like that might just be the point. Short, but not so sweet start to this record, and I like where it's going.
2. Starburster - 3:41
If you read my review about this track when it came out as a single, you'd know I really love this track. Between the punchy punk drums, the venom on the vocals and insane lyrics, this is a new flavour of that opening tracks bitterness. It's a song you can't help banging your head to, tapping a toe, or throwing a brick through a window. And those added gasps in the chorus? Spinechilling. Even the airy and light bridge hits hard. I can't recommend this track enough, and if the rest of this album are even similar shades of this, then I've got something to be really excited about...
3. Here's the Thing - 2:43
Now, this one was released as a single, so I've heard it already, and it's another good track. It's got that same edge, those slightly distorted guitars and a really thick bass sound that I really enjoy. Vocals are similarly sharp, and have that bite that I really love from this record. The verses are more stripped back, letting you feel those lyrics before slamming back into the chorus section. It feels a bit slower than the previous song, but the change of pace is pretty welcome, because even though it's a little less lively, it by no means makes it a bad track. Another strong addition to an already pretty spot on record.
4. Desire - 3:39
'Desire' opens on a much more melancholy note, with gentle synth and a plucked guitar section. It feels more stripped back, both in instrumentation and theme, there's a true longing in the lyrics of this one - surprise surprise - that in that raspy voice really feels raw and emotive. It gets atmospheric again in this track, with choppy distorted static building to an awesome crescendo of drums. It's an almost goose bump inducing experience. The lyrics on this one hit very hard, there's real collective experience in the semantics of desire, and I think you'd have a hard time not connecting with it yourself. I always bang on about natural progressions and the way songs grow, and this one smashes it's own really really well, hitting a brilliant climax with repeated vocals and pumped once again full of atmosphere. Brilliant track playing to the strengths of this record and it's themes, and it's also very well done.
5. In The Modern World - 4:27
I like the muted guitar sound on the start of this track. Again that breathy vocal is allowed its own space with a tinge of reverb and it's very atmospheric. The added guitar sound helps this build before those sliding strings come back into play. Every bar adds something new, and that chorus and those lyrics really hit. It's clearly a commentary on modern society - duh - but it's rise and fall feels so natural I'm once again in awe of the width of this record. Once again that build comes in the same way, and you're back into that brilliant, almost anthemic chorus. It's a definite ballad, and it hits you right in the stomach. There's an almost guitar solo that's really beautiful as it oozes its way into the bridge - it's an amazing sound that is so unique to this record. This track is something really special, and it has this real undertone of grandeur and narrative that you have to just experience it.
6. Bug - 3:02
The guitar in this opening sounds quite folky, there's something about the tone that I really enjoy. The vocals come in and it all begins to make sense. There's more of a tune here that really relies on these brilliant minor notes in the lead singers cadence that plays against the guitar tone so well. Then in comes the chorus and it's a brilliant sound. Those guitars come beautifully together with a snappy drum beat to create once again a really special sound. This song is nothing like the last too, which I think is awesome - Fontanes D.C are covering their sonic bases with that gentle through line of the tone and atmosphere. I'm always banging on about that, but It always makes something special when the songs have those same sonic semantics but lend themselves to many different styles.
7. Motorcycle Boy - 3:42
The reverbed vocals leading into the guitar are really something new, which I quite enjoy. There's again an atmosphere set in to this one in the first few seconds that lay the foundations for the rest of Motorcycle Boy. I found myself again in awe of the lead singers vocals, and this real punky edge to the delivery that really gives this album its depth. This song feels a bit more stripped back in the fact that it's revolving around that guitar and vocal layer. Then the drums come in, just an almost marching beat on a snare, which adds that sonic depth to this track along with the knowledge that their probably going to take this one somewhere new. And it comes, sure, but not in the way you're expecting. There are some piano keys played in a jaunty off key way, as more vocals are added to that layered soundscape. It's cool, and again atmospheric to the max, but I really wanted a little more from the closing parts of this track - it dangles a lot in front of your nose, but never really reaches that climax you want from it.
8. Sundowner - 3:25
There is this weird effect on the opening of this track - it makes it sound a lot like the inside of a submarine with a strange tinny beep - and then in comes the rest of the band with this dreamy reverbed sound that really sparkles. The verses roll along really well, but that weird reverb on the vocals is sort of taking me out of it. Sure, I love the synth, and how that adds to the texture with the drums and the guitars, but it isn't hitting as hard as the last few tracks. It's a definite change of speed, but feel a little removed from the similar soundscapes of the last few tracks. I don't hate it, by no means, but I just expected something a little... I don't know, exciting? But oh well, still a decent track nonetheless.
9. Horseness in the Whatness - 3:07
We're back to the strings here, and I feel like were on familiar ground again. Sure, it's a sore of sound we've heard before, and I'm feinding for something different to come, but it still sounds good. It shares a lot in common with the last track really, that same sort of synthy sound in the background, but this has some more interesting vocals. There's some awesome emphasis on the pre-chorus that git me back into this track. The build is again brilliant, and the lyrics are hitting so hard. You really hear them through this insane soundscape, it's blended with these strings, the synth, the repeated hits of cymbals and the plucked guitar sounds - it's really immersive and chaotic. I just wish there was more of it to enjoy!
10. Death Kink - 2:23
The classic rock vibes are strong in the beginning of this one. The swinging drum pattern is palpable, and it quickly slams into a chorus that has this massive sound to it. It's an awesome sound, but I wish that there was some more to the lyrics than just the repetition of 'shit'. Sure, there's some really cool punk undertones to it, but some of it just feels a little lazy. But that by no means detracts from an awesome little guitar solo that has this insane effect on it that rips hard. But again it's so short! I wish there was more time to this one, because with maybe a bridge and another punky choppy breakdown and this could have made something really really awesome. Bit of wasted potential I think...
11. Favourite - 4:16
I think it's an interesting move to release a song as a single that's also your closer. As something that's meant to bring an entire project to an end, letting people get to know it, in my opinion, really puts a dull on a project. You want to be dialled in beginning to end, so releasing this one beforehand makes people disengage a little in my opinion, it certainly does for me. Saying that, I do really enjoy this song. In an album shaped by its edgy and violent sound, to being it back to that titular romantic rose tinted feeling, and I think as a concept that's really awesome. The almost shoegaze guitar and solid drumbeat makes this one such an accessible and easy listening experience. The lyrics bleed emotion and love, and brings this record wonderfully full circle, from love to confusion and back to love again. Just a shame that it was released before the actual record came out!!
Overview: This record is great in a lot of ways. From it's brilliant way of building and changing tracks, the insane soundscapes and searing punk vibes, this is a powerhouse of a record that in the paces it wants to, kicks ass and takes names, and also caresses it's way into the more mellow sections. But with that, there are a few glaring flaws in this one, that even I can't ignore. For one, it's too damn shirt. It's just shy of 40 minutes, and I just feel like a lot of the concepts and ideas could of flourished if they git a couple of minutes more to bake and percolate, and build to something even more impressive. Moreover, it annoys me that the closer of this record was released as a single. I know its a small thing, but the album experience is really shaped by the opening and closing tracks, and to release it to the public before the record comes out puts a bit of a dampener on this records final moments. However, this is a strong body of work, with bits that work perfectly, and others that don't make you want to reciprocate that romance it's all about.
Highlights: Starburster, Bug, Favourite
Rating: 6.5/10
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