Review: Foals - 'What Went Down'

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 Around seven years ago, Oxford four piece Foals implemented a brand new twist on alternative music as we knew it. Transforming the guitar focused monotony of bands like The Kooks and Snow Patrol and hitting us with their own brand of jerky experimental math-rock that went against all commercial frame-works for the 'indie' genre that once seemed so limited and just plain boring. Elaborate metaphorical lyrics touching on tennis and Greek airlines set them apart from any band we'd ever heard before. It's unusual for bands to sound so original and so far away from their influences but Foals certainly managed that with ease.

Total Life Forever was a total transformation, with much more sophisticated and demure sounding instrumentals and much more matter-of-fact lyrics. Holy Fire expanded this newfound air of sophistication yet it still felt like a huge progression, and if the title track of their upcoming fourth album is anything to go by, this one will be too.

A tense keyboard drone opens the track before Yannis Philippakis murmurs "I buried my heart in a hole in the ground," suggesting yet more primal, ritualistic themes await us on their highly anticipated fourth pursuit. The true extent of the track's almighty grit isn't immediately apparent but as soon as you hear the scuzzy riff that accompanies the hard-hitting chorus amidst hostile lyrics, "when I see a man I see a liar,' Foals' new identity becomes crystal clear. Philippakis revealed in an interview that he has embraced his "inner madman" on this record and this track is the embodiment of a man brimming with pent-up aggression and hostility. The vocals are unrelenting and belligerent- almost a man possessed; a complete antithesis from the restrained coos of 'Late Night' and 'Bad Habit.'

'What Went Down' in some ways comes as a surprise when compared to Foals' stellar back catalogue but when you listen closely, its clear that tracks such as 'Providence' and 'Inhaler' were building up to this heavy, bruttish moment which the boys have always had in them. This track captures the energy and endearment of their live performance perfectly and I predict a few broken bones as they embark on their next UK tour which is yet to be announced.