Track of the Day: FONDA - 'Letting Go'

Limerick outfit FONDA are back after a two year gap with laidback new single 'Letting Go'.

The garage-rockers have been active since 2015, releasing their Social Services EP that year ahead of 2016 single 'Dreaming' and 2020's three-track project No Begonias.

Formed in 2015 by singer-songwriter Liam O’Connor and drummer Patrick Bourke (formerly of The Vagabonds), they became a three piece with the addition of Laura Kelly (formerly of Rural Savage).

Social Services was recorded in Galway in 2015 by Brian Kelly of So Cow, drawing comparisons to the Dunedin sound of bands like The Bats and The Chills. FONDA toured extensively in Ireland throughout 2015 before recording their second EP at Lamplight Studios Dublin with Jack Glacken.

The band's new single takes them in a new direction, evoking nostalgic melodies and fuzzy guitars with a poignant depth to their storytelling.

The National, The Lemonheads, Jarvis Crocker and Pavement are all easy to cite as clear influences, but Liam O'Connor's unique tone of voice allows FONDA to stand out. Similarly to Eoin Kenny of Dublin band MELTS, the deep baritone is gripping in its retro feel.

"There's a lottery playing inside of me," he croons, opening the track. "I haven't won it yet, in fact I've never bet/'cause I'm a chickenshit when it comes to blood and spit/I don't think of my health..."

The down-tempo indie number has plenty of lo-fi guitar riffs to keep you hooked, and jazzy instrumentation backing up O'Connor. It's cinematic, atmospheric and evokes a strange feeling of being the main character staring out of a rain-soaked car window.

Listen to 'Letting Go' below.