Two years have passed since the Grammy-nominated Irish band Fontaines D.C. released their critically acclaimed third studio album, Skinty Fia. The band has maintained a steady presence in the music scene with sold-out tours and memorable performances at renowned festivals like Glastonbury.

The New Era of Fontaines D.C.: Romance

Now, their fourth record titled *Romance* marks another significant evolution in their sound. In a recent meeting at the Arlo Hotel in Williamsburg, frontman Grian Chatten and lead guitarist Carlos O’Connell shared insights into the creation process of this album.

The Genesis of Romance

While on tour with Arctic Monkeys, Chatten began conceptualizing *Romance*. The end of that tour saw him losing his passport in Mexico City. However, undeterred by such minor setbacks, the band swiftly moved into the studio to develop their latest work.

Chatten takes pride in crafting all lyrics himself, a process he describes as therapeutic and intrinsic to his career. He emphasizes how writing is an outlet that allows him to express freely without external pressure—a stark contrast to performing someone else’s material.

Creative Process

The 11 tracks on *Romance* were birthed from a constellation of ideas shared backstage at concerts. The album showcases their evolved sound, incorporating grungy breaks and hip-hop-inspired percussion with an electronica undertone, reminiscent of early Deftones.

Chatten’s Favorite Tracks

Among the standout tracks is “In the Modern World,” which Chatten has long aspired to write. He recounts arranging the strings on his laptop until it resonated with his vision—a blend that could easily feature Lana Del Rey.

Analog Inspirations in a Digital Age

• The band’s creative process is delightfully analogue; they use a large whiteboard to jot down ideas, erasing previous album concepts to make way for new ones.
• They once had 35 potential songs, ranging from brief phone recordings to fully formed melodies. This diversity allowed them to explore various musical directions before finalizing the tracklist.

Their process is refreshingly hands-on: starting with acoustic guitars and voices, they gradually shaped the album’s sound. This approach resulted in dynamic tracks like “Starburster,” inspired by Chatten’s personal experiences, and the evocative title track, “Romance.”

Live Performances: A New Chapter

The excitement around *Romance* was palpable during their live performances. I had the opportunity to witness one such event at Warsaw Concerts in Greenpoint, where special guest Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys also attended.

Pre-Show Jitters and Memorable Moments

Chatten and O’Connell expressed varying degrees of pre-show nerves. Playing new tracks like “Starburster” live for the first time presented a unique challenge, but it was an exhilarating experience.

The band’s performance was electrifying, with Chatten leading the crowd in wild enthusiasm—belt buckled and New York Yankees jersey on display. Despite their nerves, they delivered an unforgettable show that resonated deeply with their audience.