“Dopamine Chamber”, the fifth album, sees Fontaines D.C. move further away from the raw post-punk sound which first caught the listener’s attention. The title is apt because Grian Chatten sounds like he’s inside a chamber, giving the record an eerie, enclosed mood. This time, plenty of synthesisers are involved, along with sweeping strings, with brass appearing occasionally. The album also seems inspired by alternative bands of the 1980s like The Smiths, New Order, and Joy Division (Yes, I know. Not technically the 80s). Quite experimental and nothing like the lads have done before.

The opener ‘Six Shot Morning’, sets the mood right away. ‘Marianne’ is more melodic, thanks to its rich instrumentation and Grian’s haunting vocals. ‘Mimesis’ and ‘Happy for You’ keep the band on an atmospheric path, while still doing enough to keep their identity. Flashes of the Irish punk-rock band that burst onto the scene still appear on tracks like ‘Demolition’.

Of course, being the poets they are, songwriting is the strongest part of the record. Chatten has a natural ability to make simple lyrics feel important, and he delivers them with conviction. It does not matter that not every lyric is deep; his unique phrasing and emotion make even those more quieter moments interesting. Tracks such as ‘Tongue’, ‘One Man ’, and ‘You Miss Me’ show the band being more open-minded with musical styles while still having their usual sense of melancholy.

One highlight is ‘Where is Gone?’, featuring Catalan singer Rosalía. She leads the first verse before backing Chatten in the chorus. I like how their vocals, though different, work in tandem, adding emotional depth.

‘Japan’ is my favourite and is the strongest track lyrically, telling a profound story of a freeloading boyfriend who takes advantage of his wealthy girlfriend. It addresses the imbalance between love and money and how someone can use a relationship for ulterior motives. The closer ‘Intimate’ wraps up the band’s latest sonic journey.

The album is certainly a bold move for Fontaines D.C., and it will almost certainly divide opinions among fans and critics. The guitars serve more as accompaniment, but the band still stays in touch with its roots. As mentioned earlier, their usual sound sits alongside touches of 1980s alternative rock, new wave, electronica, and orchestral sounds. That formula creates an atmospheric, dark and eerie record that shows the band’s willingness to evolve instead of living off past glories.

Song recommendations: ‘Japan’, ‘Where is Gone?’, ‘Demolition’

8/10