Foals fourth incredible album, once again showing us their brilliance in their own unique way.
In 2013 Foals made a name for themselves, becoming one of the best indie-alt-rock bands in the world right now. Their third studio album 'Holy Fire', blew many peoples opinions away with its unbelievable success.
'Holy Fire' was voted 'Best Album of 2013' by NME readers with the albums lead track 'Inhaler' receiving the NME Best Track award. 'My Number' was crowned the 'Best Song Of 2013, while Q awarded Foals with the 'Best Live Act' award and they were nominated for the 2013 Mercury Prize.
The bands fourth album 'What Went Down' takes off from where 'Holy Fire' left off. With interchangeable tracks, its as if the albums don't have a two year release gap.
Personally I think 'What Went Down' is incredible. The album is the purified Foals sound we know and love.
The album opens with 'What Went Down' (the single), much heavier than their debut album 'Antidotes' opening track 'The French Open'. Their debut album was so much more upbeat, created by the premature Foals, however this album, 7 years on from 'Antidotes', is something we can relate to much more.
It has its darker, heavier guitar driven sound, which quiet easily could slip into Royal Bloods album, however it also has tracks like 'Mountain At My Gates' which are brighter and more like singles off 'Holy Fire'. The album has a balance of darker, heavier songs which is like a newer, reinvented sound, whilst remnants of the past creep in.
Foals are undoubtedly unique and incredibly talented. Each of their albums are progressions of their ever developing sound. 'What Went Down' could have been a redo of 'Holy Fire', where the band try to cling to their past success, however it isn’t. Instead its like a middle ground between the past music and the bands possible future heavier sound. Its something that seems to unify the bands music and hopefully will result in a new album to come where all the stops are pulled out and they create something entirely different.
I really love this album, as do I love 'Holy Fire', and I genuinely suggest you should listen to the tracks at least and try to imagine what is to come.