Foals had built up a lot of anticipation in fans before the release of their fourth LP ‘What Went Down’ in August. It had promise to be one of the best albums of the year and a bold statement for Foals after 2013’s ‘Holy Fire’. With some very clever writing and melodies, ‘What Went Down’ has taken the music scene by storm since its release, with Foals performing a secret set at Reading and an impressive session at Maida Vale. The album as a whole is beautifully written and organised, and each track speaks a different part of Foals’ repertoire. Here’s my first listen track-by-track review of ‘What Went Down’.
“What Went Down”
Foals released the title track as the first teaser to the album back at the start of the summer, and it really set the hype going for the album’s release. The track is packed with attitude and Foals’ raw edge, which is why the band have been so successful in the first place. The passion in this track makes it one to watch out for at future festivals and arena tours – no doubt it’s going to be remembered as one of Foals’ big songs alongside tracks like “My Number” and “Spanish Sahara”.
“Mountain At My Gates”
Also released as a single before the album’s release, it showed a softer, funkier side to Foals than some of their previous material, with strong bass lining the track and catchy guitar rhythm. This track is much more reminiscent of tracks such as “My Number”, as its track and lyrics give it much more wide appeal at this point in time than heavier tracks on the album such as “What Went Down”.
“Birch Tree”
This track starts with unmistakable Foals vibes from upbeat soft guitars and a softer vocal from frontman Yannis. The album and this track in particular is very beautiful in terms of its consistency with Foals’ previous albums – the band have carved out their musical footprint and are right to stick with it!
“Give It All”
As this track builds from slow vocals, it turns into an atmospheric love song with haunting vocals and Foals’ best attempt at an anthem with fewer guitars than their trademark tracks, working more with a backing beat than a trademark riff. “Give It All” is a beautiful track that fits well at this part of the album – it brings something different which refreshes our musical palette before we move onto the rest of the album.
“Albatross”
Probably my least favourite track on the album. It’s based on quite a fast tempo, but I feel that the vocals don’t fit in with what the track is, almost as if the track could be two separate tracks – I feel like it can’t decide between being harder rock like “What Went Down” or “Inhaler”, or being a catchy track like “My Number”. The track is not one to dislike as such, but is not my favourite of Foals’ back-catalogue.
“Snake Oil”
Foals bring rocked-up attitude on this track, with guitars and drums that have been compared to early Black Keys albums, and I have to say that I completely agree. This track is greatly appreciated after “Albatross” – it’s like Foals reinstate their edge and remind us why they’ve been and still are so successful.
“Night Swimmers”
This track opens catchy as you like, with Foals’ trademark guitar and bass undertone. You can really feel the track building up to something, but that doesn’t happen until the middle section of the track when more intense guitar kicks in along with the catchy beat. This one is sweet and catchy right up until the end when Foals show us what they’re really made of and give the track some sort of grit that I’d been waiting for the whole track.
“London Thunder”
The first time I gave the ‘What Went Down’ vinyl a spin, this is the track that really stood out for me. It’s more stripped-back but is in no way boring – it shows Foals’ raw talent for writing lyrics and melody that could give a Foals-hating person goosebumps. “London Thunder” is hands-down the most beautiful track on the album and one I would urge everyone to listen to at least once.
“Lonely Hunter”
A track you have to listen to for a good few seconds before you catch its vibe properly. As the track builds, the track falls into place better for my taste, but I’s have liked the track to keep on building rather than insistently reverting back.
“A Knife In The Ocean”
Standing at a bold 6 minutes and 52 seconds, “A Knife In The Ocean” might even be my favourite Foals track yet – it’s understatedly powerful as you wouldn’t expect it to be so atmospheric from its opening verse. It keeps developing to an ending that is a bold way to finish off the album with frontman Yannis’ roars echoing throughout the latter half of the track. “A Knife In The Ocean” is a lasting reminder that Foals are probably one of the best bands of our generation.
Review by Ceri-Ann Hughes