Given their standing within the rock world, each Foo Fighters album seems like an occasion, however given the occasions of the previous yr, the stakes had been raised even larger for the band’s considerably shock new launch, However Right here We Are.
The album was accomplished just about off the radar, one thing that is laborious to do whenever you’ve reached the stature of Foo Fighters, overshadowed by the loss of life of drummer Taylor Hawkins final yr and the eventual return to the stage of the band throughout two all-star tribute live shows in London and Los Angeles.
Sure, Foo Fighters tipped us off at the start of the yr that they might be persevering with as a band within the aftermath of Hawkins’ loss of life, with tour dates quickly following, however the arrival of latest music nonetheless got here as a little bit of a shock when the one “Rescued” arrived this spring accompanied by the announcement of a brand new file. In order However Right here We Are is now upon us, let’s share among the issues that make this one of many Foo’s greatest albums in fairly a while.
Foo Fighters Discover a Path, One That Feels Becoming
It has been properly documented that Foo Fighters are mourning the loss of life of drummer Taylor Hawkins, who died whereas the band was on tour in early 2022, however Dave Grohl additionally suffered the lack of his mom, Virginia Hanlon Grohl, later within the yr. The influence of each deaths are felt throughout this file, with each Taylor and Virginia even famous within the paintings dedications.
However this feels extra centered than a few of Foo Fighters latest releases, with themes of mortality, private loss and discovering methods to manage and transfer on felt all through the file. Provided that hefty emotional weight, the album is extra somber as a complete, although additionally affords some uplifting and even dreamy moments of reflection not all the time present in Foos materials. It is not a full-on heavy rock file, however that is okay because the tone is respectful and Grohl’s vocals and songwriting extra susceptible than they’ve ever been. It is precisely what you’d need and hope for, serving to the listeners, longtime Foo Fighters followers, come to phrases with these large losses to the Foo household identical to the band has achieved by way of music. — CC
Wait, Is {That a} Guitar Solo?
Foo Fighters aren’t precisely the primary band you consider relating to guitar solos, even with three guitarists at present populating their lineup. However, within the midst of the late album standout “Past Me,” the addition of the guitar solo as Dave Grohl addresses coming to phrases with mortality feels just like the uplifting second all of us want. Rock on! — CC
It is Not ALL About Taylor and Dave’s Mother
Sure, this can be a file about private loss, however not all the songs are knowledgeable by the 2 main deaths in Dave Grohl’s life over the previous yr. “Below You” seems like a basic Foo Fighters music, and it is extra wrapped up within the aftermath of a deteriorated relationship. The title monitor is also extra reflective of a interval noting a lack of innocence. And “Nothing At All” is a full-on relationship music, rocking as laborious as something on the file with a fury paying homage to the band’s early period breakout “I am going to Stick Round.” — CC
A Father / Daughter Gem
“Present Me How” was one of many songs previewed forward of the album’s launch, and it is really a household second. Whereas a lot of the music might be tied to Dave Grohl’s relationship along with his mom, because the singer navigates the mid-tempo asking “The place are you now? / Who will present me how?,” it feels considerably becoming and comforting that the monitor turns right into a close to duet along with his daughter Violet, who has been singing backup with the Foos for some time now. Violet’s addition brings one thing further to the music, along with her vocal at occasions lifting over Dave’s and bringing an virtually angelic really feel to the monitor because the Foo frontman struggles to discover a method to transfer ahead. — CC
It Has Foo Fighters’ Finest Hooks in Years
Dig your hooks in! Dave Grohl has lengthy identified craft a catchy rock music. However this album appears to revive the oomph within the Foos’ musical hooks — the a part of a music most meant to seize the listener’s consideration. This renewed pop sensibility could possibly be noticed earlier than the album even dropped in singles corresponding to “Rescued” and even the prolonged however eminently catchy “The Trainer.” However when listening to the album in full, you may discover Grohl and co. look like placing the highlight again on their catchiest songwriting. “Below You” is an ideal instance. — PT
It Remembers Foo Fighters’ Early Materials With Aplomb
There’s one thing in regards to the freshness of this album that wakes your senses up, and it feels quite a bit like how early Foo Fighters materials hit your eardrums again in, say, 1995 or 1997. Again within the day, even deep Foo cuts and B-sides corresponding to “New Method House” and “Winnebago” had a musical magic that was virtually intangible however nonetheless altogether penetrating. When listening to new songs corresponding to “Present Me How” and “The Glass,” that very same feeling comes dashing again. — PT
It is Succinct and to the Level
Foo Fighters had been already leaning on this path — 2021’s Drugs at Midnight was solely 9 tracks — however conserving However Right here We Are to 10 songs was undoubtedly a sensible alternative (particularly within the streaming period). It makes every tune really feel that rather more necessary, and it provides the album a number of room to breathe. — PT
Dave Grohl on the Drums
Not that we’ve got to say it, however Dave Grohl’s drumming right here is impeccable. It is nice to listen to the rocker again behind the equipment for a full-length album. However it’s unhappy — inescapably unhappy — that Hawkins’ loss of life is why Grohl’s again on the throne. — PT
A Tearful Conclusion
If there is a music on the brand new album that introduced us almost to tears, it is the album nearer “Relaxation.” Beginning with a solo guitar, it primarily is a monitor about Dave Grohl’s searching for reference to a not too long ago handed beloved one, descriptively noting within the opening traces, “Waking up / Backside of an empty cup / Laying in your favourite garments / chosen only for you.” This solemn and detailed account, picks up steam halfway by way of with a jarring energy chord that you may virtually really feel being the uplifting ascension of a soul after loss of life. Fittingly, all of it comes full circle, again with Grohl and his solo guitar and the center wrenching closing traces, “Waking up / Had one other dream of us / Within the heat Virginia solar / I’ll meet you.” — CC
The Method Ahead for Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters had been based to “signify the therapeutic energy of music and a continuation of life,” the band stated in a press release after Hawkins died in 2022, recalling the group’s formation after the 1994 loss of life of Kurt Cobain, Grohl’s late bandmate in Nirvana. However it was unclear precisely how Foo Fighters had been “going to be a special band going ahead,” as they stated in that message.
Now, it is coming into focus — it appears the Foos will maybe be extra of a “songwriting” act and fewer of a “rocking out” band within the studio, if this album is any indication. There’s virtually no screaming or any metal-indebted rockers on this one (suppose “White Limo” or “The Color and The Form”). As a substitute, there are chic anthems corresponding to “Relaxation” and “Present Me How.” Possibly even with all of the tragedy, Grohl has discovered some peace. — PT
READ MORE: Foo Fighters Joined by Taylor Hawkins Son Shane at Boston Calling 2023
That is simply our ideas on the brand new album, nevertheless it’s time that you may test it out for your self. Make sure to choose up However Right here We Are proper right here. And you’ll catch Foo Fighters supporting the album on tour. Get your tickets right here.
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