The haunting Irish phrase behind a chart-topping rock masterpiece
In short: When Fontaines D.C. released Skinty Fia, they brought an extinct species and an old family saying to the top of the charts. Beyond the melodies lies a story of political friction, unexpected instruments, and a deliberate attempt to blend electronic textures with rock.
Released on 22 April 2022, Skinty Fia marked a commercial peak for the Dublin-based band Fontaines D.C., becoming their first number-one album in both the UK and Ireland. An ancient Irish phrase used by drummer Tom Coll's great-aunt provides the album's name, meaning 'the damnation of the deer.' Visuals on the cover evoke this concept of loss by depicting the giant deer, or extinct Irish elk.
The creative process for the record was shaped by the constraints of the COVID-19 lockdowns in Dublin. New sonic layers emerged after vocalist Grian Chatten drew inspiration from an accordion his mother gave him for Christmas. Alongside guitarist Carlos O'Connell, the band sought to recreate electronic sounds using guitars, drawing influence from the 2000 Primal Scream album XTRMNTR and the drum and bass artist Roni Size. To add a sense of uncertainty to the recording sessions in London, the band wrote songs during the day but recorded them at night.
The album also navigated cultural tensions. The opening track, 'In ár gCroíthe go deo' (meaning 'in our hearts forever'), was influenced by a dispute involving the Church of England, which initially blocked an Irish phrase from a gravestone, labeling it 'political.' The band recorded the song vocals on the day the decision was overturned. While much of the album was written by Chatten, the track 'Big Shot'—the only song written by O'Connell—explores the personal pressures of fame and ego.
Critically, the album was a triumph, earning a Brit Award for International Group in 2023 and high rankings in year-end lists from NME and The Guardian. Critics noted a more measured, reflective tone compared to their earlier works, Dogrel and A Hero's Death.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Skinty Fia
- Also: Wikidata — Skinty Fia · CC0
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