’…a fresh take on the formula of The LaFontaines, and demonstrates that they still possess that magnetic charm…’
If I had a penny for every time this week a rap trio from a Celtic country released a follow-up record, after last releasing an LP before 2020, I’d have two pennies, which isn’t many, but it’s weird that it’s happened twice.
Whilst the Emerald Isle unleashed KNEECAP onto the UK charts this week, Scotland have sent their finest rap rock act in the form of The LaFontaines. Originally a five-piece, the band have shrunk down to a tightly knit three-piece that have recently represented their national football team with the track ‘Scotland, Bonnie Scotland’, arguably their highest high to date.
Now, five years since they last released a full-length record, the band have finally gifted the world their fourth album, ‘Business As Usual’. Whilst they may have started their career as scrappy working-class underdogs, the band have evolved into successful nationwide headliners, now with relationships, children, taxes, and all of those other important adult things to think about too. That growing sense maturity is reflected incredibly well in this record.
As with all of their past efforts, ‘Business As Usual‘ sees The LaFontaines pivoting their sound one again. Whereas ‘Junior‘ felt huge, packed with soaring choruses and big, pop-rock instrumentals, this record strips it all back to a cool, classy sound. There’s a retro flair that decorates the entire record, pulling from funk and R’n’B with its effortless flows, impressively slick percussion, and soulful vocal performances. It oozes confidence throughout; The LaFontaines aren’t here to prove themselves to anyone, but they’re also not resting on their laurels.
From the lush disco flair of ‘Since You Made a Move’, ushering in a new summer of love, to the gentle restraint of ‘July 11th’ with its musings on parenthood, the whole things oozes warmth and confidence. Kerr Okan’s vocal flows are still bristling with his cheeky, free-spirited charm, whilst drummer Jamie Keenan sounds better than ever, his raspy vocals imbued with a real strength that lends itself to the retro vibes of the soundscape.
There are punchier moments on the track listing too, just in case you worried it was getting too relaxed. The title track, alongside ‘Keep Me on the Outside’, bring chunky guitars over swaggering percussion to lace in some much needed edge to the cool, comfortable nature of the record.
Unfortunately, the coolness of the record is something of a flaw at times. The moments at which you feel like The LaFontaines are truly going all out are few and far between; certainly, they’re performing well, but there are only a few times when you truly feel like they’re as impassioned as they have been on prior releases.
There aren’t the big hooks of ‘Junior’, nor is the lyricism as scathing as ‘Class’. It doesn’t even possess the muddled experimentation of ‘Common Problem’. ‘Business As Usual’ is far from lazy, and does feature well crafted songs from start to finish, but it lacks any bite. Part of what made The LaFontaines so enjoyable on past releases was the real feeling that this was an underdog story; a group of working class Scottish lads putting their country back on the musical map. That identity doesn’t come through quite as well here.
‘Business As Usual’, however, sees them at a point where they’ve achieved more than they ever set out to, and whilst it has been a tale of success for The LaFontaines, you don’t really feel like they’re celebrating it. Instead of this record feeling like the start of their victory lap, it feels like them winding down. Where do you go after writing a song to represent your country? It’s not clear if they quite know the answer.
However, in the end, ‘Business As Usual‘ represents another solid release for the band. It may not reach the highest highs that the band have shown themselves capable of, but it does provide a fresh take on the formula of The LaFontaines, and demonstrates that they still possess that magnetic charm that has made them so agreeable in the first place. A self-assured step forwards, even if we’re yet to really know where that road is taking us.
RATING: 74/100 – Good
For Fans Of: KNEECAP, Twenty One Pilots, Saint PHNX, Yard Act, Red Rum Club
Physical copies are available to purchase here.
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