Fontaines D.C. have released a new song called "Tongue", and this is definitely one of the stranger tracks I have heard from them. The first thing that strikes me is the bass. It sounds warped, slightly broken and almost like it is constantly falling out of tune. I mean all of those things in a good way.

Doing some research, the bass sound was apparently created by manipulating the speed of a tape recording, which makes complete sense. It does not really sound like a normal bass guitar anymore. It has this weird rubbery quality where the notes almost bend around the rest of the song. Apparently, Prince used similar tape techniques as well, which is a pretty cool little detail.

Grian Chatten's vocals are also heavily processed in places. His voice has been put through a sampler and pitch-shifted, which gives certain sections this slightly alien sound. I really like hearing bands experiment with vocals like this because the voice stops being just the thing singing the lyrics and almost becomes another instrument.

The whole track feels slightly uncomfortable, but in an interesting way. We hear piano, strings, guitars and all these strange textures appearing throughout the song. The longer it goes on, the more unstable everything seems to become. It almost feels like the song is slowly melting.

I especially like how the band holds back some of the more traditional rock elements. The guitars do not immediately come crashing in and take over everything. Instead, the track develops quite slowly, and when those harsher sounds finally appear they actually mean something.

It is weirdly groovy as well. I can imagine hearing this in some dark nightclub at three in the morning and not really knowing whether I am having a great time or whether I should probably go home.

"Tongue" is the second track we have heard from their upcoming album Dopamine Chamber, and if this is the direction Fontaines D.C. are heading in, I am definitely interested. It is strange, slightly ugly, atmospheric and full of little production choices that make you want to listen again.

This one definitely benefits from a good pair of headphones. Give it a listen and see what you make of it.

Author: Peter Källman

Peter Källman is a writer from Sweden who loves playing in bands, writing reviews and going to live shows!