Since their acclaimed 2019 debut, Dogrel, Fontaines D.C. have been skillfully manoeuvring their way out from under that UK post-punk umbrella, and with each release their sonic guides have become murkier and murkier. Now with the release of Romance, the follow-up to the darkened Skinty Fia, the lads from Dublin are leading with heart. 

Fontaines D.C. is a band that loves to reinvent itself, both thematically and sonically. Led by lead lyricist Grian Chatten, whose vocal style never quite stays still on this album, Romance dabbles in Britpop on “Here’s The Thing,” feral grime rap on “Starburster,” and shoegaze-y chaos on “Desire.” This album is easily Fontaines D.C.’s most approachable yet, since many of the songs trade out that chopped-up post-punk sound for something more pop-centric. Tracks like “Sundowner” even feel like arena-ready indie rock bangers, ready to captivate the next group of willing fans. 

At the beginning of their career, Fontaines felt like a band who could be easily pinned down as another post-punk group, and they’ve since broken out of that space. Romance is a new beginning for a band with high expectations, one that promises a brighter and more loving future.