Final Rating: 6.5/10

One thing I’ve discovered over time from listening to a variety of music from around the world is that (especially while singing in English), artists tend to suppress their accents. In the case of Fontaines, nothing could be further from the truth. The band’s lead, Grian Chatten channels his heavy Dublin accent in an effort to craft something different. He masterfully succeeds in this case.
For their fourth studio album, the Dublin band enlisted the help of Arctic Monkeys’ producer James Ford (their previous three albums were all made with Dan Carey) to bring something new to the table. This difference is quite noticeable when compared to their earlier work. Romance brings a plethora of new sounds to Fontaines’ discography. From the loud and drawn-out dread of Romance’s first song, to the rap and R&B-inspired track Starburster, to the warped neo-grunge style of Here’s the Thing and Sundowner, a whole new chapter for Fontaines has been opened.
This album is certainly for a specific audience. The one thing I wouldn’t describe Fontaines’ music as (and this is most obvious on this album) is “easy listening.” The band is now renowned for its experimental take on the alternative genre, and Romance exemplifies that perfectly. Personally, I preferred their 2022 album Skinty Fia. While still experimental, it better represented their sound while keeping the listening experience relatively easier. I don’t generally consider myself a fan of their style, which is reflected in my rating of the album. At times, many songs on here seem “too experimental.” I think this can be seen on songs such as Starburster, where the listening becomes quite challenging. Specifically, many parts of the song don’t feel polished. However, If experimental music is your thing, I highly recommend this album.