Album Review: Foals, Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost Pt 1

Foals are evolving: could it be that they are happier than in the past? They are certainly playing sunnier music. replete with poppy keyboards and giant choruses. Tunes like ‘In Degrees’ and ‘On The Luna’ radiate an almost tropical quality – a good thing surely with summer festivals on the way. ‘Sunday’, meanwhile, is a stadium anthem in waiting. A tune about the importance of friendship in turbulent times, its epic climax will leave festival punters’ in awe.

That’s not to say Foals have ditched their weird side – but even the more experimental tunes here also have arena-filling potential. Six-minute single ‘Exits’ is constantly shifting form, yet it is as catchy as anything on the record. Lyrically, the tune – like much of the album – explores contemporary concerns like climate change and Brexit: “I’m so sorry if I kept you waiting around / I wish I could figure it out / But the world’s upside down.” It is indeed.

‘White Onions’ – with its pounding guitars and Yannis Philippakis’ growling vocals – is as close to QOTSA as Foals have ever sounded. Even the slower, more haunting ‘Café D’Athens’ and closer ‘I’m Done With The World’ include infectious xylophone melodies and lush, whirring synths that worm their way into your brain.

The second installment of Everything Not Saved... follows in the autumn. If it’s as good as this, it could be the making of Foals.