Foals are a different band to different people. Depending on who you ask, the Oxford lads could be called math rock, borderline metal and/or radio-friendly indie rock.
Confusion aside, one thing is certain — since releasing their spastic if slightly monochromatic debut LP, Antidotes, in 2008, they’ve been one of indie rock’s most pleasantly inventive acts. Sophomore album Total Life Forever showed a more expansive sonic palette and introduced powerhouse single “Spanish Sahara” to the world. The group’s most recent and third album, Holy Fire, was an ambitious crowd pleaser — but a well-executed one. Although increased bravado has helped to make Foals’ intricate melodies a bit more streamlined, it hasn’t impacted appeal to fans of the older stuff.
New track “What Went Down,” like many of Holy Fire’s strongest songs, is a heavy, sludgy monster. Produced by James Ford (Arctic Monkeys, Haim), it makes good use of pulsing guitars and Yannis Philippakis’ snarling vocals. The Foals frontman sought to embrace his “inner madman” while recording the forthcoming LP and it’s clear that he succeeded with this title track. Sample lyrics include: “I buried my heart in a hole in the ground,” “When I see a man, I see a liar” and “I’m a sycophantic animal.” So…yeah, give it a listen.