Credit: Daniel Topete

Fontaines D.C. cover The Jesus and Mary Chain track ‘Darklands’

Fri 15 May 2020 12:53, UK

Fontaines D.C. made productive use of their time in lockdown by tackling a post-punk classic: The Jesus and Mary Chain’s 1987 track Darklands. As part of the Radio X Phone Covers series, the Dublin group recorded their individual parts from their respective homes while self-isolating.

Fontaines D.C.’s decision to cover ‘Darklands’ is a fitting homage from one post-punk band to another, bridging the gap between two generations of artists who have both made their mark by exploring themes of alienation, introspection, and urban melancholy. The cover offers a fresh yet faithful interpretation of the 1987 classic, allowing Fontaines D.C. to pay respect to their influences while infusing the track with their distinct sound.

In their rendition, Fontaines preserves the brooding atmosphere that defined the original while adding a layer of modern intensity. Grian Chatten’s vocal delivery is crucial to this transformation—where the Reid brothers produced their lyrics with detached coolness, Chatten’s approach is more raw and immediate, bringing a sense of urgency to the song’s reflective lyrics. His voice, rich with the natural texture of his Dublin accent, adds a new dimension to the song’s exploration of darkness and longing.

This cover offers something of a testament to Fontaines D.C.’s respect for their musical roots and their commitment to exploring the emotional and sonic landscapes that have defined post-punk for decades. It stands as a compelling tribute to a song that, much like Fontaines D.C. themselves, transcends its era to speak to the universal themes of alienation, yearning, and the search for meaning in the modern world.

Notably, this performance arrives shortly after Fontaines D.C. announced the release of their second album, the follow-up to the critically acclaimed Dogrel. Titled A Hero’s Death, the new album is set to arrive in July 2020.

You can listen to the album’s title track here and find their cover of The Jesus and Mary Chain’s ‘Darklands’ below.