Emerging from the deluxe edition of their 2024 album ‘Romance’, this track delves into themes of memory, identity, and emotional transformation.
Guitarist Conor Curley envisioned the song with a "blown out sound" aiming for a composition that "heaved and shifted with new details", akin to the ever-changing nature of a river. This dynamic approach is evident as the track unfolds, revealing layers that morph with each listen. The production, under James Ford, leans into subtlety, allowing the instrumentation to tiptoe rather than explode, placing the lyrical content at the forefront.
Lyrically, the song is cryptic yet evocative. Lines like “no parts left to sell” and “the heart we used to share is beating tired” suggest a narrator grappling with identity and memory in the aftermath of a transformative relationship. The refrain “decapitate the shine” feels like an assault on optimism or false appearances, while the recurring line “people like that” becomes an indictment of faceless societal expectations.
Bassist Conor Deegan described the track as possessing "a real sweetness to it in the vocals, but in a way that you're kind of worried about the person singing it because it's a bit manic," highlighting the song's underlying tension between vulnerability and unease.
‘Before You, I Just Forget’ stands as a testament to Fontaines D.C.'s ability to evolve and explore new emotional landscapes, offering listeners a hauntingly beautiful reflection on love and self-discovery.
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Amy King
@amyjayneking
Image: 'Romance' Official Album Cover
If you enjoyed reading this article please consider buying us a coffee. The money from this pot goes towards the ever increasing yearly costs of running and hosting the site, as well as our monthly "Writer Of The Month" article prize.
