Fontaines D.C. - Dopamine Chamber album cover

The boys are back in town! After a two-year break between albums, Fontaines D.C. dropped their fifth album, Dopamine Chamber, as an October surprise, and it’s full of treats. The album’s message stays with you after you finish listening, making you think about its question: where do you escape to?

Right off the bat, Dopamine Chamber feels like a mix of Trainspotting and Gorillaz. The synths mixed with dreamy lyrics on the album create this moody vibe that is perfect for this time of year. If you ask me, there is a clear Lana inspiration happening throughout the album, but not so much that it isn’t Fontaines D.C. at the heart of it. Dopamine Chamber follows what Romance started and goes beyond that stylistically.

A showcase for Grian Chatten’s lyricism

Grian Chatten’s lyricism absolutely shines on the album, which is nothing new for longtime listeners of the band. If nothing else, his lyrics are better than the early days of Dogrel. On “Marianne,” Chatten talks with the object of the song as if he’s their inner thoughts. He sings “My dreams are made from you (You should come and stay here).” The way he sings those lyrics make you feel as if they can’t escape their own mind, circling the drain before the inevitable decision. It’s something that doesn’t often come across in songs without sounding facetious, but Chatten manages to do it in a way that listeners can connect with.

Of course, Chatten isn’t the only member of the band that deserves recognition with this album. Both Conor Deegan on bass and Tom Coll on drums consistently keep the band on track throughout each song. They hold it down for both the band and listeners in such a solid way the whole time that it’s impossible not to tap along to the beat they set. Additionally, Conor Curley and Carlos O’Connell are masters of the synths. It’s definitely thanks to them that the dreamy, moody sound of Dopamine Chamber comes alive.

Album highlights

“Japan” is the ballad of the album, and rightfully so. Situated in the second half of the album as the penultimate song, Chatten channels the emotion in this with lyrics such as “Why’d you go and make it real? / Why’d you go?” and “Well, you know she is the man, got a boyfriend in Japan / And he’s better than his word or, at least, that’s what I heard.” The vibe of this song of is the worst guy around, but it doesn’t stop you from getting lost in the emotion that sucks you in while listening.

“Where Is Gone?” features Rosalía and is the shining star of Dopamine Chamber. The combination of her and Grian’s lyrics, sound, and overall vibe of the song makes this a 10/10. The second verse features Rosalía singing “I could care less,” with Chatten quickly following with “so care less.” These are the type of lyrics that flow so smoothly you almost don’t even notice that it’s two people singing. The chemistry between them is beautiful, making the song an instant favorite. “You Miss Me” is the perfect follow-up, and continues the vibe that “Where Is Gone?” created.

A successful new sound

It’s easy for people not to like this new sound from Fontaines D.C. It’s even easier to say that they sold out with this album. But that’s unfair. Dopamine Chamber is clearly full of love and effort from the band. And it shows huge growth in their ability to follow their whimsy when it comes to making music. This album is a labor of love that builds off of the five albums that came before it. It’s nice to see Fontaines explore different genres in the same way Enter Shikari might, learning what works, what doesn’t, and what is most fun for them.

Just when Fontaines D.C. lures you into thinking they sound like one thing, they switch it up. Dopamine Chamber is a moody mix of sounds that expands what the audience thinks of them. Each song is unique and keeps your attention throughout the album with its catchy lyrics. This album is another in what is hopefully a long line of growth for Fontanies D.C. Dopamine Chamber certainly will maks fans more excited for their future. And don’t forget, erin go bragh.

Dopamine Chamber is available now.

Album cover courtesy of XL Recordings and 32 County Love Train.