When indie darlings Foals announced that they were going to be releasing two albums this year they were probably met with a lot of sceptics.
However, Part 1 wowed fans and critics alike with its combination of dance beats and the Oxford band’s famous Math-Rock precision which garnered them praise on their 2008 debut album Antidotes. The result was a well-rounded and thrilling album which feels at home on both the clubs of the diamond strip and the moshpit of a summer festival.
Part 2 of the epic double album marries this precision with the ferocity Foals’ live shows are famed for which is evident as opener ‘Red Desert’ transitions into ‘The Runner’- the second single from the album. ‘The Runner’ has a mean bass groove underneath Yannis’ feral vocals which together introduce a band that perfectly balances chaos with calculated production.
Foals also put their own spin on a number of musical styles. ‘Wash Off’ has been compared to Prog-Rock with its subtle electronics and jangly guitar. While ‘Black Bull’ has a rebellious Punk energy coursing through its veins. ‘10,000 Feet’ is another highlight on the album with arpeggio-style picking transitioning into heavier riffs as Yannis bellows over the instrumentals.
Third single ‘Into The Surf’ is also a firm favourite here, showing a gentler and more melancholy side to the band which provides a nice contrast on the album. The combination of a progressive piano and the electronic chimes from ‘Surf Part 1’ which feature on this cut make the track one of the band’s strongest to date.
Nonetheless, ten-minute closer ‘Neptune’ is likely the biggest talking point on the record. ‘Neptune’ progresses in pace from slower to faster in perfect balance as Yannis laments over the temporary nature of human existence and how one day you may wake up and nothing will be left. The irony behind ‘Neptune’s’ lyrical content is that even if societies collapse and nature fades, Foals legacy will remain forever.
5/5