The music industry had their own ‘Barbenheimer’ with Fontaines D.C. & Sabrina Carpenter
The two polar opposites battle it out for top of the charts.
Photo: Eimear Lynch
The music industry got their long awaited Barbenheimer this week with Sabrina Carpenter and Fontaines D.C. as the two artists respectively released Short N Sweet and Romance. Both albums were released August 23rd and, like the film industry with Barbie and Oppenheimer last summer, we are obsessed.
Romance by Fontaines D.C. represents a significant evolution in the band’s sound and emotional depth as a band. Taking a step away from the raw, punk-driven energy of their earlier work, the album offers a more expansive and introspective approach, blending jagged guitars with moments of melancholic beauty. The lyrics delve into the complexities of love, disillusionment, and self-reflection, showing Grian Chatten’s poetic lyricism.
As all music lovers, there will always be that one track that you’ve loved the most and have had on repeat. Opening track A Lover’s Complaint sets the tone with its haunting guitar work and steady, driving rhythm; it feels both familiar and fresh, embodying the band’s ability to balance intensity with subtlety.
Romance of the City offers a reflective ode to urban life; it’s atmospheric, with a slower tempo and a repetitive bass-line that mirrors the monotony and romance of city living.
Winter’s Gone is perhaps the most hopeful track on the album. It hints at renewal and the passage of time. The instrumentation is more melodic, providing a moment of respite amidst the otherwise brooding landscape.
Broken Strings stands out for its dynamic range and delivery which brings a powerful close to the album. It serves as a reminder of the band’s punk roots, even if they’re exploring a new sonic territory.
Overall, the album reflects the band’s growth as musicians and songwriters. It’s a natural progression from their previous work, retaining the intensity of their early sounds whilst exploring more emotional landscapes. The album might take a few listens to fully appreciate the craftmanship, especially for fans who fell in love with the more straightforward punk energy of Dogrel. This album has allowed Fontaines D.C. to cement their place as one of the most compelling bands of their generation.
Photo: Sabrina Carpenter
On the complete opposite scale, we have our Pop Star Barbie: Sabrina Carpenter. The former Disney star pulled us out of the iconic ‘Brat Summer’ with her humorous and witty album, Short N Sweet. Whist her first four albums fall under her Disney era, her latest album has thrown the artist into a whole new world (excuse the Disney pun). Carpenter isn’t afraid to show off the “bubble-gum” pop that we hear in tracks like Taste. Carpenter isn’t afraid of corny one-liners and of the underlying meanings behind the album, which makes is so relatable. It gives an insight to men about how girls see relationships from their point of view, whilst for us girlies it was a case of going “ha! relatable!” at every line.
The album is the literal definition of Short N Sweet, coming in at 37 minutes. There’s no messing around with different themes to explore, with each song sounding the same and moulding into one another.
Honourable track mentions would be song of the summer Espresso, Please Please Please and Bad Chem. All three songs are hits – and so is the album. It’s one of those albums that you can listen all the way through without getting too bored of the songs.
Overall, I think that the album is well constructed and provides a fun and witty approach to it. Although it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea — and some may screw their nose up at the overly raunchy approach — it is safe to say that Sabrina Carpenter is well on her way to doing great things with this album and her upcoming work in the future.
Romance is out now via XL Recordings. Short N Sweet is out now via Island Records.