Fontaines D.C. “Marianne” Review

What does it sound like?

It opens with a mystical haze, like fog rolling in before you can see what’s ahead. A rattling guitar melody gives it real depth, the drums hit hard enough to fill a stadium, and Grian Chatten’s vocals blend into the mix rather than sitting on top. It’s a song about someone called Marianne, with the band almost reaching out a hand to pull her from a dark world. Producer James Ford gives it a more mainstream polish while keeping the rawness intact.

For fans of: Arctic Monkeys, Slowdive.

What’s the song about?

Grian has said the song draws partly on the 2024 thriller series Ripley, and it plays out as an invitation to run away, with Marianne offered a glamorous escape that hides something far bleaker. The dreamy getaway soon drifts into talk of surgery and tickets with no return, before a blunt reminder that this is her real life snaps her out of it. It sets the tone for the album, which Grian has said he wanted to make without false comfort, saying it felt “more powerful to leave the hope out and reflect the ugliness honestly.”

Is it better than their last single?

It marks a move into new territory, with synths and strings replacing the guitar heavy sound they built their name on. I wasn’t sold on “It’s Amazing To Be Young” at first either, and that one is still on my playlist, so this could follow the same path.

What’s the best moment?

2:01

The haze drifts before the rattling guitar melody and huge drums kick the song back into life.

Is it worth it?

Worth a listen

“Dopamine Chamber” by Fontaines D.C. is released on 16th October 2026. Pre order here.