Friday Tune / Fontaines D.C. - Skinty Fia

Friday Tune #5 - Let’s not say a word if it isn't true

Maintaining and preserving our cultural heritage is crucial for our identity and adds richness to society. While culture is not static and can evolve over time, embracing new perspectives from other cultures can broaden our understanding of ourselves and the world. Striking a balance between preservation and openness to new ideas is essential for continued evolution and contribution to society.

Recently, I found myself diving back into the discography of Fontaines D.C., particularly their brilliant third album. That's why my weekly pick is "Skinty Fia".

Fontaines D.C. is a Dublin-based band formed in 2017 by Grian Chatten (vocals), Carlos O'Connell (guitar), Conor Curley (guitar), Conor Deegan III (bass), and Tom Coll (drums), all of whom met at music college in Dublin. The band's love for poetry led them to release two collections of poetry before writing music. Their diverse backgrounds contribute to their unique sound, a blend of post-punk, garage rock, and gritty urban rhythm, with a focus on thoughtful lyrics.

The name, Fontaines D.C., is a nod to The Godfather character, singer and movie star, Johnny Fontane, godson of Vito Corleone. The band was initially called The Fontaines, but to differentiate themselves from another band with the same name, they added the initials "D.C.", representing Dublin City.

Released on April 22, 2022, "Skinty Fia" is a captivating exploration of Irish culture and its potential downfall due to privatization. The album title itself, an Irish slur meaning "the damnation of the deer", is fittingly accompanied by a majestic deer on the front cover. As the Irish Giant Deer is now extinct, the band draws parallels between its fate and the potential loss of Irish culture.

"Skinty Fia" marks Fontaines D.C.'s first attempt to incorporate their homeland's native tongue into their songs, adding a new dimension to their music. The band's sound has evolved from a post-punk and garage-rock influenced style with an aggressive intensity to incorporate choral harmonies and crooning squeeze-boxed ballads. Lead singer Grian Chatten's voice remains raw and powerful, but he now employs it with more finesse, striking a perfect balance between toughness and tenderness.

The album as a whole conveys a sense of unease and ambiguity, which is particularly striking in today's divided world. Exploring universal fears that unite all people, such as growing old, feeling unfulfilled, and struggling to find love. Through their unique lens, the band brings to light these relatable emotions, making the album's themes accessible to a wider audience.

It's clear that they're not just making music, but rather, they're using their platform to voice their concerns and raise important questions. What's particularly impressive is how they've managed to evolve and mature so quickly, as if they've been honing their craft for decades.While some fans may miss the band's signature punky sound, the evolution of their music is a promising sign for their future.

And I leave you with "Jackie Down The Line"

Links

• Official website: Fontaines D.C.
• Label: Partisan Records