FOALS - HOLY FIRE

It's hard to write about many recently released albums because I find my ability to censor is not strong enough. The charts nowadays are made up of auto-tune whores who are desperate to sell their stories for quick money, and people who should have maybe gone into plumbing as opposed to entering so called 'talent contests'. What music needs now are - in the words of a certain assiduous troubadour  - 'bands who've had to work for their keep, drove a thousand miles and played a show with no sleep'. Bands who relentlessly tour every nook and cranny of the earth possible. Bands who have a ridiculous amount of love for what they're doing. Bands, like Foals.

Looking back to, what is still currently one of my favourite albums of the past decade in Total Life Forever, it seems hard to believe these guys aren't hogging the airwaves, overtaking the indie clubs and being hummed by your friends on their commute. However, with Holy Fire, I think things are going to change.

The 2 singles already released from the album come one after the other, acting as a sign of things to expect. These come in the shape of the ever luring 'Inhaler' and the helpless, midriff-shaking, quite frankly incredible 'My Number'. Both examples of their finest work to date. The distant, echoing tones of lead vocalist Yannis Philippakis overlay the break-wrist drums of underrated sticksman Jack Bevan throughout the album. Add in some, often harrowing backing vocals and subdued synth and you're onto something music seems to have been missing for a while.

Continuing the life-affirming tracklist, 'Bad Habit' and 'Everytime' will have you strutting around the room in a somewhat trippy and head-shaking manner. Where you'll then proceed, dazed and more in love with this band than you've maybe ever been before, through to penultimate song 'Stepson' and album-finisher and another personal highlight 'Moon'. This of course not before once again being lured in by the pacey 'Providence'. A track sure to become a favourite amongst the punters, and with a decent lightshow, a hit on YouTube.

This is something much different to what Foals have already given us. I think it's time for them to stand up and be counted. Energetic live performances aside, these guys are a band with real flare and exclusivity that needs to be noticed. The charts will be glad of it.

BUY HOLY FIRE!