Fontaines DC’s 20 best songs chart their shift from post-punk to broader sounds
Fontaines DC’s catalogue is ranked ahead of the Irish band’s eagerly anticipated fifth album, *Dopamine Chamber*. The selection highlights how the group have moved from the fierce post-punk of their debut to broader, more melodic and sometimes optimistic sounds, while retaining a sense of unease.
The article discusses songs including the swaggering debut opener “Big”, the socially anxious “Televised Mind”, and the bright “Favourite”, alongside newer tracks such as “It’s Amazing to Be Young” and “Marianne”. It also points to the band’s varied influences and shifting approaches, from driving riffs and distorted guitars to synths, piano and expansive arrangements.
- Fontaines DC’s 20 greatest songs are ranked ahead of album five.
- Their sound spans fierce post-punk, gothic moods and bright guitar pop.
- New single “Marianne” builds anticipation for *Dopamine Chamber*.
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Fontaines DC are an Irish rock band and one of the most prominent contemporary acts in post-punk and alternative rock. They are known for sharp, socially engaged lyrics and intense, energetic performances.
The band's musical approach has evolved considerably across their albums, moving from the raw post-punk style of their debut towards broader, more melodic sounds incorporating synthesisers, piano and varied instrumentation. Throughout these changes, they have retained the underlying sense of unease and artistic ambition that characterises their work.
Their songs span this full range, from the fierce early material to newer tracks that show greater optimism and melodic sophistication, mapping the band's artistic journey from their post-punk origins to their current expanded sound.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Fontaines DC's evolution from post-punk to broader, more melodic sounds represents valuable artistic growth and creative ambition. The band's exploration of new sonic territory—incorporating synths, piano and expansive arrangements—allows for richer emotional expression and sophisticated composition. This progression demonstrates maturity whilst retaining the distinctive character that defines them.
The case against
Some argue that Fontaines DC's greatest strength lies in their early post-punk rawness and uncompromising intensity. The shift towards broader, more melodic sounds represents a dilution of their distinctive identity and the loss of the fierce, challenging vision that originally defined them. This represents a trade-off between artistic accessibility and the authentic edge that made them compelling.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Fierce, frantic and loaded with menace: Fontaines DC’s 20 greatest songs – ranked!”.