Today, Fontaines D.C. have shared their latest single, ‘Favourite’, the second to be lifted from their eagerly anticipated upcoming album, Romance, set for release August 23rd via XL Recordings, premiered live in Brooklyn earlier this year, ‘Favourite’ follows in the footsteps of the album’s lead single, ‘Starburser’, building more anticipation for the album.
Of the track, frontman Grian Chatten states that ‘Favourite’ has a ‘never-ending sound to it, a continuous cycle from euphoria to sadness, two worlds spinning forever’. The track is essentially a love song accompanied by a nostalgic music video documenting the band’s recent trip to Madrid. Madrid holds a special place for the band as guitarist Carlos O’Connell was born there. Additionally, it serves as a significant location for the band because it was the starting point for their very first tour. The city’s influence and sentimental value make it a nostalgic and meaningful location for the band.
In celebration of their album Romance, Fontaines D.C. are kicking off an extensive world tour beginning in the USA in September, then heading to Europe. The tour will culminate with the band’s first arena tour in the UK and Ireland, featuring two homecoming shows at Dublin’s 3Arena. The band is also currently on a series of summer shows and will headline The Park at this year’s Glastonbury Festival.
New Album, Romance, out in August
Returning today with their first release since the success of 2022’s Skinty Fia, which reached Number 1 in the UK and Irish charts, Fontaines D.C. have announced details of their fourth studio album, Romance, set for release on August 23rd via the band’s new record label, XL Recordings, produced by James Ford.
Alongside the album announcement, the band have shared Romance’s lead single, ‘Starburster’. Inspired by a panic attack that lead singer Grian Chatten suffered outside of St. Pancras station, the track is Fontaines D.C.’s most expansive. The single arrives accompanied by its visual, a fever dream directed by Aube Perrie.
Of the album’s title, bassist Conor Deegan states
We’ve always had this sense of idealism and romance. Each album gets further away from observing that through the lens of Ireland, as directly as (Mercury Prize-nominated debut) Dogrel. The second album (the GRAMMY-nominated A Hero’s Death) is about that detachment, and the third (Skinty Fia) is about Irishness dislocated in the diaspora. Now we look to where and what else there is to be romantic about.
Vocalist Grian Chatten adds:
We say things on this record we’ve wanted to say for a long time. I never feel like it’s over, but it’s nice to feel lighter.
ROMANCE will be brought to life on a world tour beginning in the summer, with stopovers at Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds Festivals and across Europe. UK and U.S. headline dates will be announced in due course.
Romance is available to pre-order on limited edition vinyl*.
