Fontaines DC: Dopamine Chamber - A Review

Words: Eve Smith

The release of ‘Dopamine Chamber’ feels like the most perfect progression of Fontaines D.C for their fifth studio album. After a no-skip track record four albums in a row, they do it yet again with 11 new hit songs. The album speaks on themes of reality, relationships, journeys to some place else and deep emotion in its pure form.

This album is different from their others, as are each of them, but ‘Dopamine Chamber’ plays in a way that builds contradiction, struggle, escape and feeling into a deeper musical journey. Euphorically, some would say.

The album starts off with ‘Six Shot Morning’, bringing a listener nostalgia and a slow start tune that progresses into iconic 80s synth instrumentals. As the song plays, themes of nostalgia are painted, and you feel as if you are up close and personal to the singer. Akin to songs of Talking Heads, Grian Chatten uses synth and spoken word fantastically to convey a seriousness of time and emotion in the song.

The next track takes a new stance. ‘Marianne’ uses echoes to create the feeling of being lost- it feels as if the singer is far away. Throughout, the song makes you feel in-control and powerful through its use of instruments and constant up-beat tune.

‘You can go on dreaming, you can go under the knife, Marianne’. – ‘Marianne’ The song holds a long instrumental outro, which deflates you from the highs of the song and prepares you for the next. Tom Coll on drums makes a crucial appearance throughout the song, helping to build the tension beside the lyrics and raising the roofs with its catchiness.

Such as ‘Marianne’, the album contains many songs that entice you to dance, ‘Mimesis’ making you feel like you’re on top of the world at its peak. ‘Mimesis’, especially, is supported again by the synth that builds and decreases throughout the duration of the song. Fontaines D.C. ultimately use this type of music as a power tool for ‘Dopamine Chamber’, similarly to how they did with heavy drums for their album released in 2020 named ‘A Hero’s Death’.

The fifth track of the album, ‘Demolition’ invites us with an at-once loud and heavy tune. The song reads as though it speaks on complicated relationships and their effect on a person experiencing that- although this song can be interpreted differently due to its messy lyrics, yet undeniably perfect sound. ‘If you want me I’ll stay, we can make it okay.’- ‘Demolition’ It portrays a true, raw emotion, regardless of whether it's anger or sadness. ‘Thanks for leaving me prone.’- ‘Demolition’ The song contradicts, turns, and twists and is the ultimate expression of human journeys.

‘Tongue’ introduces the use of mystical synth and alien-like voices, making the song feel ‘out-of-body’ and perhaps out of this world. It is also contrastable- with the inclusion of bass from Conor Deegan and the piano, the song is brought up and down in tone throughout different verses, thus relaying change. Repetition of three specific lines makes the song formulaic, the third being ‘am I allowed to say it if nobody’s gonna listen?’ This line also hints at being ignored or alone, and the doom-driven backing music feels like it is acting as the frustration brewing as a result of that feeling.

Songs such as ‘You Miss Me’ and ‘One Man’ take a slower pace, the band using these to cover themes of depression and insecurity. Integral to the album, the songs also tell a story that is beautifully supported by the instruments behind them. For example, ‘One Man’ is elevated completely with the use of backing vocals and sudden drums towards the end of the song. Conor Curley and Carlos O’Connor on the guitars also fit perfectly to the melody of the lyrics, uplifting them and contributing to the mysterious rhythm of ’You Miss Me’.

‘Where Is Gone’ is different as it features upcoming pop-star ‘Rosalía’, who brings her to voice to the song and angelically harmonises with singer Grian Chatten. Halfway through the song, themes of hope and escapism are brought up, raising the tone of the song and building somewhat happy emotions. Having a male and female voice in the song really elevates the music and layers it, giving the listener a glimpse into both sides of a story despite hearing them both simultaneously. To add, layering trumpets towards the end of the song further contributes to this multifaceted listening

experience.

The penultimate song ‘Japan’ has been trending itself recently, and it’s no surprise when taking into account its unique tune. The happy introduction of the song turns slowly into something more tired rather than exciting which is perfectly executed. The song is soft and emotional, moving anyone listening. ‘Why’d you go and make it real?’ – ‘Japan’

Finally, taken literally, the most intimate song on the album called ‘Intimate’ sounds dreamy and comforting. Voices sound as if they are further away, the band doing this to project their lyrics further and creating what can entice listeners to this song. Grian Chatten raps at certain points in the song, and paired with the music this feels like an out-of-body experience- especially when enhanced with an echoed voice later on. The rapping brings out the power and the emotion of the band, with the soft voiceover being used to contrast itself afterwards.

The album is yet another work of art to add to the Fontaines D.C discography, surely a 5-star rating was expected with such a strong performance from the band this time round. It is very clear and inevitable to see that the music is building alongside them, it being produced with an ultimate ‘Fontaines D.C’ sound.

If you haven’t already, give it a listen.