When I started in music journalism, the most frequently cited influence in press releases was Twin Peaks (side note: now it's Tame Impala). That's immediately where my mind went when I hit play on "Marianne," as Fontaines D.C. herald their new direction with chiming tones straight outta "Audrey's Dance."
From there, the lead single from their upcoming album Dopamine Chamber (out October 16 on XL Recordings) shifts into an icy post-punk groove — not an entirely different sound for Fontaines, but with strings, synth bass and icy reverb filling up the arrangement in place of prominent guitars.
The band's signature remains Grian Chatten's unmistakable voice, singing with the coolest sneer in contemporary rock music that's as blasé as it is sweetly melodic. "Marianne" isn't an absolute crusher like Romance's single "Starburster," but it's a beautiful song that creeps under my skin.
Dopamine Chamber is available to pre-order here.
