Foals' new single intense and ambitious.
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As their fourth album edges ever nearer, Foals have followed up their first single ‘What Went Down’ with ‘Mountain at my Gates’. Both new releases are in-keeping with the sound of their last album Holy Fire: Philippakis’ singing complimented by an infectiously pulsating drum beat and some frantic guitars. In fact, there are striking similarities to the second release of Holy Fire, ‘My Number’. It’s driven by an arpeggiated guitar hook, is more melodic than the previous single, and has one hell of an anthemic chorus.
Talking on the single, Philippakis explained that the song developed “instantaneously in the room”, perhaps reflecting the influence producer James Ford (also producer to the Arctic Monkeys and Klaxons) has had on the band. Happily, the distinct Foals style remains – although there is a definite move toward more ‘stadium rock’ – but with a swagger that has made this and ‘WWD’ two of the biggest sounding singles they’ve ever released. The finale of Mountain at my Gates showing this best; it’s frantic, addictive and unmistakably Foals.
What Went Down is out Friday 28th August from via Transgressive Records.
