Album Review: Foals - Holy Fire
BY İDİL DAMLA BİNGÖL (IE/IV)
"Holy Fire" is Foals' third studio album. Their debut album, "Antidotes," was followed by "Total Life Forever," which music blogs said was more mature and more emotional. And now, "Holy Fire" is being called their most honest work to date; according to the band's lead singer Yannis Philippakis, this album is heavier than the previous two.
The album is sonically a combination of Foals' first two albums. It's clear that Foals have expanded their sound. The guitars and Philippakis's vocals are excellent as always, and according to the review in Consequence of Sound, the drums are more prevalent and driving than before. We see a combination of new elements, such as steel drums with electronic beats.
In terms of lyrics, the album is very personal and focuses on both self-deprecation and self-assuredness. Prelude opens the album by giving a sense of preparation, similarly to Interpol's "Untitled." The second song, Inhaler, is definitely one of the most impressive tracks on the album; according to Consequence of Sound, it releases all out in a stunning chorus unlike anything Foals have ever done before. After "Inhaler" comes My Number. Philippakis sings, "You don't have my number, we don't need each other now/You can't steal my thunder 'cause you don't have my lover's touch." This sounds a bit shallow, but actually it refers to a relationship that has ended. The song's sound is very similar to that of "Antidotes." It's groovy and fun. Both "Inhaler" and "My Number" are crowd-pleasers, and I'm sure that they will be festival favorites for both the band and their audience.
As a "Total Life Forever" fan, the songs I like most on this album are Out of the Woods and Milk and Black Spiders. These tracks create a very similar feeling to that of "Total Life Forever." In "Milk and Black Spiders," Philippakis confesses, "Cause I've been around two times and found/You're the only thing I need." Providence is again an upbeat song, and it's not hard to imagine the audience singing along with Philippakis, "I know I cannot be true/I'm an animal just like you/Oh I'll bleed just a little bit too/I'll bleed just like you." Late Night is also more "Total Life Forever" than "Antidotes." In spite of the lyrics feeling a bit overwritten and artificial, this song has a sonically powerful impact.
"Holy Fire" is an impressive album. It's honest and fragile, but also groovy and fun at the same time. It's proof that Foals will continue improving their sound and creating much better works. But as a listener, I would expect something a bit more impressive and, emotionally, a bit more intense than this. In a recent interview for NME, Philippakis said, "There's definitely oxygen going to the brain, but we're not over-analysing things…we wanted to make a greedy record." Which is a very correct description of "Holy Fire": greedy.
This Week's Songs:
Five songs you must listen to this week. Hope you like them, and see you next week.
1. Purity Ring - Grammy
An amazing Soulja Boy cover from amazing Purity Ring -- and at the right time, Grammy week. I became a total addict.
2. Two Door Cinema Club - Sun (Gigamesh Remix)
Two Door Cinema Club and Gigamesh. Nothing more to say.
3. Haim - Falling
My recent favorite Haim's new single from their soon-to-be released EP, "Falling."
4. Violet - Where the Wild Things Grow
Pixie Geldof's band has released another emotional and beautiful track. Give it a try.
5. CHVRCHES - Recover (Cid Rim Remix)
An amazing remix from Cid Rim for CHVRCHES' already amazing song "Recover."