Fontaines D.C. frontman Grian Chatten strips it back on debut solo single ‘The Score’
The vocalist of the critically acclaimed band recently released his first solo track, describing it as a ‘bated breath of lust’.
Photo: Eimear Lynch
It’s been a busy 12 months for Irish post-punk outfit Fontaines D.C. Their third album, Skinty Fia, debuted at number one in the UK and Ireland, helping the Irish post-punk band earn the BRIT award for International Group of the Year, as well as generate a hectic touring schedule that has seen them play at gigs across the globe.
Yet somehow, vocalist Grian Chatten has still found the time to write a single purely for himself, shifting his creative process from one of collaboration to one of introspection quietly behind the scenes.
Featuring a measured picking pattern on an acoustic guitar and a minimal electronic beat, The Score is a contemplative and intimate debut filled with desire: “You know the score / It ain’t limited to your knowing looks and touches anymore.”
Through husky vocals, Chatten adds a lustful tone to his lyrics, sonically creating what feels like a pause in time for both the singer and the listener as the world continues to bustle around them. Meanwhile, his vocal steadiness reinforces the song’s intimacy in a way that is incredibly fitting for its themes, and the stillness of the instrumentation gives the lyrics a sharpness that lingers past the final note.
It is not yet known if The Score will feature on a wider solo project from Chatten, but his first single has definitely made its mark.