Fontaines D.C. have announced their new album 'ROMANCE', as they expand into brave new worlds with lead single 'Starburster'

Fontaines D.C. are back with a bang, announcing their highly-anticipated fourth album, 'ROMANCE', due out August 23rd via their new home XL Recordings.

The album marks the band's first foray with mega-producer James Ford, and - from the sound of the new single - it promises to be their most assured and adventurous record yet. Following the critical and commercial success of 2022's Skinty Fia, which reached number 1 in both the UK and Irish album charts, 'ROMANCE' sees the band expanding their horizons with a bold new image, and hints of new sonic frontiers.

Lead single 'Starburster' explodes onto the scene, a visceral exploration of a panic attack frontman Grian Chatten experienced in London's St Pancras station. The song is a potent mix of sharp energy and sharper lyrics, building to a moment of catharsis before dissolving into a dreamy soundscape. A fitting introduction, 'Starburster' is accompanied by a music video from director Aube Perrie, known for work with Megan Thee Stallion, Harry Styles, and The Hives.

According to a press release that accompanies the news, 'ROMANCE' finds the band – Grian Chatten (vocals), Carlos O’Connell (guitar), Conor Curley (guitar), Conor Deegan (bass), and Tom Coll (drums) – channelling ideas that have been brewing since the release of 'Skinty Fia'. These plans coalesced while touring the US and Mexico with Arctic Monkeys, where the band discovered a newfound appreciation for artists who build expansive sonic worlds, citing Shygirl, Sega Bodega, Mos Def, A$AP Ferg, OutKast, and The Prodigy as influences.

Individual band members also took time for personal exploration. O’Connell ventured to Spain's Castile-La Mancha and became a father, while Chatten spent time in LA and Deegan explored Paris. They reconvened in London, each pushing their creative boundaries with experimental riffs, chord progressions, and lyrical references.