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Fresh off the heels of the critically acclaimed Romance is the release of Fontaines D.C.’s deluxe edition of their fourth studio album. Landing as one of our absolute favorites last year, Romance (Deluxe) dives even deeper into the gut-wrenching, emotional themes that made the original truly captivating. With the addition of tracks, “It’s Amazing to Be Young” and “Before You I Just Forget” this release elevates the ephemeral and surreal nature of the project, capturing the ambition and heart that sets the Irish band apart from the rest. 

“It’s Amazing to Be Young” is a defiant burst cutting through a bleak reality, like a lullaby with a spark of optimism. Transitioning into the dreamlike, “Before You I Just Forget” the track collides a multifaceted melody that evolves into a varied listening experience each time you hit play. 

With the cutting delivery of Grian Chatten (vocalist), the lyrics strike the listener with a powerful opening, “Decapitate the shine, because people like that.” The chorus, which is an unsettling look at the weight of expectation, and society’s push for conformity. This internal monologue is further explored as the track comes to a close, “And the spoils only go to the brave boys (boys) // You only count the birds that make a big noise (noise) // All that showmanship is expired, Now we know that the heart we share is expired.” At its’ core, “Before You I Just Forget” is a beautifully complex exploration of the push and pull between individuality and hunger for recognition, and is a shadowy complement to the rest of the album.

And in a stunningly breathtaking close, is the ephemeral reimagining of the fiery “Starburster” into a truly special homage. Stripping back the high-energy track into a live, acoustic performance that incorporates David Lynch and Peter Ivers’ “In Heaven (Lady in The Radiator Song)” from the 1977 film Eraserhead, the etheral close of this project is an unexpected gift that leaves the listener spellbound. 

The deluxe edition of the beloved album comes in the leadup of a big year for Fontaines D.C. Embarking on a world tour across Asia, Australia, South America and North America, there is no question that they continue to pioneer and shape the landscape of music. 

Listen to Romance (Deluxe) below: