Starburster
| "Starburster" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Fontaines D.C. | ||||
| from the album Romance | ||||
| Released | 17 April 2024 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:41 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Composer(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) | James Ford | |||
| Fontaines D.C. singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Starburster" is a song by Irish rock band Fontaines D.C. It was released on 17 April 2024 as the lead single from the band's fourth studio album Romance.
The song was the band's first entry on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at No. 59.
Background[edit]
The song was written about a panic attack that frontman Grian Chatten suffered at London's St Pancras station.[1]
NME described "Starburster" as a "pensive art-rock beast that fuses elements of electronica and hip-hop".[2] Consequence labeled it "trip-hop-infused" with "hip-hop-esque production" that frames Fontaines D.C. "as much more than just a gang of Irish rockers."[3] Rolling Stone believed it to be a "funky, disco-rock track".[4] Clash wrote of its construction: "An elegant string loop precedes tasteful piano before being consumed by a bulky trip-hop beat."[5]
Reception[edit]
NME gave "Starburster" a five-star review, praising how it "captures that shock of trying to grasp reality amidst all the chaos."[2] The Irish Times rated it four stars out of five, comparing it to Shygirl, The Prodigy and Björk's song "Army of Me".[6] Consequence bestowed the "Song of the Week" honor to the track for its "remarkably well-constructed composition, one that pushes the band into new, unexpected places."[3]
Music video[edit]
The official music video was released with the song, directed by Aube Pierre. It features Grian Chatten performing mundane daily activities while wounded and sometimes wearing a mask.[7]
Commercial performance[edit]
"Starburster" debuted at No. 62 on the UK Singles Chart, the band's first entry.[8]
Charts[edit]
| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles (OCC)[9] | 59 |
References[edit]
- ^ "Fontaines D.C. Announce New Album 'Romance': Hear "Starburster"". Stereogum. 2024-04-17. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ a b Trendell, Andrew (2024-04-17). "Fontaines D.C.'s daring comeback single 'Starburster' is their most experimental work yet". NME. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ a b "Fontaines D.C.'s "Starburster" Is Our Song of the Week". 2024-04-19. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ Grow, Kory (2024-04-17). "Fontaines D.C. Set a Panic Attack to Disco-Rock on 'Starburster'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ "On Returning: Fontaines D.C. - 'Starburster' | Reviews". Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews. 2024-04-17. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ "Starburster: Fontaines DC's thrillingly sinister new single is a dystopian belter". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ "Fontaines D.C. Announce New Album Romance, Share Video for New Song "Starburster"". Pitchfork. 2024-04-17. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ "STARBURSTER". Official Charts. 2024-05-02. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 April 2024.