The Score

Grian Chatten, singer and lyricist in Dublin punk- poets Fontaines D.C. has a solo album out and a first single from it came out last month. Grian's song The Score follows from their contribution to a forthcoming album of covers of Nick Drake songs, and their stunning version of 'Cello Song, an off kilter, thrilling, modern/ post- punk take on one of Nick's most affecting songs. 

On The Score Grian seems to have been soaking some of the Nick Drake acoustic feel. Along with the finger picked acoustic guitar part and some softly padding electronic drums, there is his voice. Grian's voice and delivery are a big part of what makes Fontaines D.C., his Dublin brogue and street poetry a very distinct part of their twin guitar attack. On The Score he's softer, more melancholic but warmer too. It's quite something, the blend and layers of those three components. 

Two weeks ago this one came out too, Fairlies, with a fiddle and loudly strummed acoustic guitar to the fore, all sots of melodies and harmonies, all summoning up some kind of dreamlike state. Pretty stunning and quite unexpected. The album, Chaos for The Fly, is out at the end of June.