Fontaines D.C. Can Help You Disappear in New Single “Marianne”

After much teasing of a return, Fontaines D.C. has released a new single, along with the announcement of their fifth studio album, Dopamine Chamber. Set to release October 16 of this year, their first sneak peak “Marianne” is a cinematic ballad that keeps you begging for more. 

The opening eerie, chiming melody feels like the depths of a Depeche Mode song. Followed with a soft but prominent drum beat, it paves the way for the vocals of Grian Chattan. His mesmerizing vocals put you in a trance, just as it seems to do lyrically. It touches on depersonalization as a form of escapism - essentially feeling detached from your own body and mind. Doing anything you can to avoid harrowing feelings to the point of numbness. “You should come and stay here / You can follow my lead / I can help you disappear / Cinematic feeling / Understand this is your life” 

“Marianne” is a ‘lay on the floor and stare at the ceiling’ type of song. The synth and strings are emotional and dramatic along with the punchy vocals of Chattan. Tension builds throughout the song until it ends with a softer mix of drums, synth, and vocals. It is very much Fontaines D.C. at their core. The music video released with the single is a trippy, colorful, and slightly unnerving work that you can’t take your eyes off of. Let the Fontaines D.C. Autumn begin.

Fontaines D.C. will be headlining a series of festivals in the next two months, including Reading and Leeds and Shaky Knees. Listen to “Marianne”, out now.