Foals(new)

Foals

From house parties to Glastonbury stages, Oxford five-piece, Foals, have carved themselves a nice little niche in the UK indie rock establishment. As one of 2008’s NME darlings, the band had exposure and a growing tour schedule. For their sophomore effort, however, the band’s sound moved in a significantly new direction. What began as spastic no-wave on their debut has now unfurled into shimmering chords that seem to soar through space rather than fill it. Why the different sound?

Time and environment have certainly played a part. While recording “Antidote,” the first album in New York, the quintet spoke of a steady diet of spliffs and trying too hard. Then after a grueling tour promoting the album, they decided to move into an Oxford flat together, building a studio in the basement so they could record whenever they fancied. Then came a trip to the outskirts of Gothenburg, Sweden to record the new album, “Total Life Forever.” Just one listen and it’s easy to believe that the songs somehow reflect the sprawling terrain that surrounded them.

Foals were once well-known for playing house parties, but as this recent interview indicates, that might not be happening again anytime soon. They do, however, plan to play more all-ages shows. But first off, it’s the summer festival circuit and Japan. Here’s hoping that this song below fits into the set. But I hope they keep the older jerky stuff in there, too.