More about: Fontaines-D.C.

One of the most anticipated albums of the year is quickly approaching as Fontaines D.C. — praised as the best band in the world — release their third studio album 'Skinty Fia' next week. With each release their sound has continued to evolve and shapeshift through their own personal growth, the sombre nuance that lined A Hero’s Death and more recently the singles on approach for the new album. 

But it all started with 'Dogrel', their debut which was released three years ago today, and what a debut it is. Produced by the iconic Dan Carey of Speedy Wunderground and recorded in one take, the debut had us all in a chokehold that the band has yet to loosen.

From the get go, 'Dogrel' never wavers. Lead in with the punching Big, forging the record with lyric purpose from the first moment, front man Grian Chatten set out his cause. Repeating “ I'm gonna be big”, you could say they manifested it. But in terms of sound,  by the release of this debut, they were already there. Offering up an album full of ambition, intertwining irish identity with sounds that wander far beyond the island’s borders, in hindsight three years on, our eight stars feels too few.

While housing some of the bands biggest pit formers like Hurricane Laughter and Liberty Belle, it always stayed away from indie cliche - a trope that a lot of bands fall for during the anxious debut. Post-punk to the core, even the biggest tunes aren’t easy, refusing to be pinned down and pocketed, 'Dogrel' is a complex creature that we’re still enjoying taming. 

And maybe that can be credited to the years of heritage contained within. Getting its name from the poetry form “doggerel” which is considered a form of low poetry that barely managed to rhyme in unconventional patterns. Picked up and reclaimed by the Irish working-class, Fontaines continues the long legacy of re-empowerment in 2019.

The theme weaves throughout, always pinning the point back on their homeland and youth in Dublin. Placing heavy emphasis on keeping their accents strong and undiluted on the record, everything from the dialect-heavy lyrics to the Cranberries’ inspired instrumentation comes together to create something entirely dedicated to home. Roy’s Tune in particular serves up a bittersweet ode to the reality of modern Ireland, containing all the complexity, hope and darkness wrapped up into a storytelling lyric, no one is quite capturing that sweet-sombre balance like Fontaines.

Pulling on heartstrings and shining lights on what needs to be seen, yet it's the furthest thing from begging songs, never harbouring pity. As sad songs lead into more experimental, heavier intros, every song change reminds us once again what a bold debut this was and shows that the proof was in the origin, prophesying big things from day one. Hammering the message home in the album's huge climax as some of their biggest tracks come one after the other, starting with Chequeless Reckless, the album takes the shape of a gig as it heads towards a standing ovation.

And then to the encore. Refusing to go out on a big banger high without a nod to their origins, Dublin City Sky provides the album's encore. Creating their own Irish pub classic, complete with traditional sounds, rhythms and instruments, the finale rounds off the record with a final reminder, in case we needed one, that this is an unapologetically Irish record and the band won’t loosen on their identities or messages for any audience.

Creating the gold standard for the post-punk revival that is still dominating three years on, 'Dogrel' in on track to becoming timeless, still sounding as fresh and exciting today. Merging past and future together to birth their own sound, this is how you do a debut and we can’t wait to see what their 3rd record has to offer up next.

Skinty Fia arrives 22 April via Partisan Records

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More about: Fontaines-D.C.