Foo Fighters – ‘Your Favorite Toy’ album review: How long is too long?
On their 12th studio album, the Foo Fighters sound just as loud, furious and energetic as they did on their first, but I’m not entirely sure that’s a good thing – sure, a healthy dosage of frenzied rock and roll will always satisfy the musical appetite, but is it something we can continue to rely on?
The Skinny: The record is the first to feature Ilan Rubin, who has stepped in as the first official recording drummer since Taylor Hawkins’ death. Dave Grohl stepped up and played them on the last record, But Here We Are, and has since realised the Foos operate better as a collective, with one member on each instrument.
From the outset, that idea is very clear. Rubin’s involvement is welcomed, and brings an appropriately frenzied approach to the drum kit, allowing the sound of the rhythm section on the record’s opener, ‘Caught In The Echo’, to roll like thunder. The same can be said for ‘Of All People’, which marches to the beat of Rubin’s drum, but really ends up in the exact same place every Foos song from the last twenty years does.
That being said, there is a heightened level of grit to this record – the Foos have proven themselves over the years as masters of stadium rock, with anthemic choruses that sweep across the masses, and while that blueprint is very much still evident, particularly in the melodies, the performance of it all, backed by Rubin, has become a little more ferocious and in keeping with the reality the band exist in.
They simply couldn’t have provided a baseless collection of stadium rock songs, thinking we would accept it as escapism. There is a clear willingness to speak to the fury that exists across the globe, particularly from Grohl, who snarls more and croons less, showcased best on the twisting post-punky track ‘Spit Shine’.
But tracks like ‘Unconditional’ and ‘If Only You Knew’ feel overwhelmingly familiar, to a point where it almost borders on fatigue. There’s a timelessness to the bulletproof Foos sound, which is ultimately holding them back and swiftly turning them into a relic rather than a beloved legacy band.
Standout Track: ‘Spit Shine’
The Verdict: Times have changed, the Foos are slowly changing with it, but I’m not sure that’s enough. Culture is growing increasingly weary of basic nostalgia, and there’s a genuine feeling that the Foos are slipping into that with their reliable albeit predictable brand of rock. There’s hope, though, in the hiring of a worthy replacement for Hawkins and a subtle increase in snarl from Grohl’s vocals.
Release Date: April 24th, 2025 | Producer: Foo Fighters and Oliver Roman | Label: RCA
