Here’s what Newcastle experiences songs from Fontaines D.C.’s Dopamine Chamber would be

In mid-October, Irish punk band Fontaines D.C. released their long-awaited fifth album, Dopamine Chamber. It’s a bit of a misnomer since this album is difficult to describe as “happy” with some of its doom-filled lyricism; coupled with grunge-like backing tracks, it’s more likely to send you into an existential crisis than spark a dopamine release.

But the album is impressive. There’s a magnetism to the melancholic nature of the music, and it’s came out at the perfect time as we enter the long, dark days of winter.

So, as you put your headphones on and sit in your room or wander the city, we’ve paired songs from the album with a unique Newcastle experience to make your listening even more immersive.

Six Shot Morning

Six Shot Morning opens the album with a grunge-like, synthetic sound, a contrast to the jangle-pop in Dogrel and Skinty Fia. The murky backing track pairs well with the eerie lyricism to create an uncanny feeling of emptiness, reminiscent of standing outside Spot White at 6am with a cigarette in hand as the sun comes up and you’re forced to accept that you’ve taken it too far once again.

Marianne

The first single released from the album, Marianne doesn’t miss. In my first listen, though, I was convinced it had, but Marianne is a song that gets better with every re-listen. I’ve grown to appreciate the lyrical story of an internal psychological battle, as well as the choppy but distinct chorus, which was like nothing I was used to.

As a Newcastle experience, it would be wherever you go that you seem to appreciate more with every visit. For me, it’s The Dubliner in Quayside, a traditional pub with great, cheap pints of Guinness, and where the live music is always good.

One Man

One Man is a song that requires patience, with a roughly two-minute instrumental psychedelic intro and only one verse before another lengthy outro. However, the verse is fantastic, and feels like a return to the previous Fontaines D.C. music we all grew to love.

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The track is reminiscent of the first night out after a lengthy exam period – the suspense growing as you wait for the final paper – and then you can finally blow off steam in one big night.

Where Is Gone? (ft ROSALÍA)

As the band’s first duet, this song had much hype and it delivered. It feels like it could be a James Bond song, with plenty of chemistry and a contrast to the moody Manchester-esque jams we’re used to.

But since it’s so dramatic, I’ve got very little Newcastle experiences to relate it to – I assume graduation day is the closest you could get to such a baroque and monumental song.

Japan

The necessary soft song in an otherwise heavy album, Grian Chatten takes centre stage and reminds us why they call the front-man the talent. Japan provides the dim light to drag you out of the darkness dominating the rest of the album.

It’s like a coffee on a Thursday morning after sports night (when the beer fear has an unrelenting grasp on you, and the nausea is making you sweat), which miraculously which stops you searching up “symptoms of liver failure,” and revives you instead. Does Local sell one of those yet on their menu? Might be worth a check.

Featured image via YouTube

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