Fontaines D.C. have dropped their second single, “Tongue,” ahead of their upcoming album Dopamine Chamber. The track arrives with a music video directed by John Angus Stewart, shot in New York City.
“Tongue” leans into the processed sound that defines Dopamine Chamber, with Conor Deegan manipulating tape speed to give the bass the warped character of a hip-hop sample. Carlos O’Connell runs Grian Chatten’s vocals through a sampler, and the result is a track that splits open its own stoic exterior. The band describes it as one of the album’s most visceral cuts.
The Sound of “Tongue”
The song builds on a stoic foundation. Screeching guitars, piano, strings, and orchestration gradually splinter the surface, pushing the track toward something more urgent. The production approach is deliberate: Deegan’s tape-speed manipulation gives the bass a distorted quality, while O’Connell’s sampler treatment warps Chatten’s vocals.
The combination is the band’s attempt to capture a rawer, more immediate sound. The music video, directed by John Angus Stewart and shot in New York City, captures that energy.
From “Marianne” to “Tongue”
“Tongue” follows the August release of “Marianne,” which arrived alongside news of the next record. That lead single set the stage for Dopamine Chamber, and “Tongue” continues that momentum.
“Marianne” was the first taste of the album, and it established the direction the record would take. The new single now extends that direction further, pushing deeper into the processed sound the band is developing.
The Album’s Tracklist and Release Schedule
Dopamine Chamber is scheduled for release on October 16th via XL Recordings. The tracklist will feature Rosalía, marking the Irish group’s first-ever guest feature on a studio album.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| August | “Marianne” released as lead single |
| September | “Tongue” released as second single |
| October 16th | Dopamine Chamber releases |
Rosalía’s appearance on the tracklist marks a significant moment for the band. Fontaines D.C. have never featured a guest artist on a studio album before, making this a genuine milestone. Her presence broadens the album’s scope.
A Visceral Track
The band’s description of “Tongue” as one of the album’s most visceral tracks is telling. The song is designed to hit hard, both sonically and emotionally.
The combination of distorted bass, manipulated vocals, and splintering instrumentation creates a track that feels immediate and unfiltered. It is a track that rewards repeated listens, revealing new layers each time.
The Sound of Dopamine Chamber
The processed sound that defines Dopamine Chamber is the band’s current focus. Deegan’s tape-speed manipulation and O’Connell’s sampler work are central to this approach.
The result is a track that feels raw and immediate, even as it sits within a larger, more structured framework. The band is pushing into new sonic territory while keeping its core sound intact.
The Album’s Schedule and Singles
The release of “Tongue” follows a familiar pattern for the band. They released “Marianne” in August, and now “Tongue” arrives as the second single. The schedule is straightforward:
- “Marianne” — August release as lead single
- “Tongue” — September release as second single
- Dopamine Chamber — October 16th release
The singles have set the stage for the full-length. Now the album arrives in full.
The Verdict on “Tongue”
“Tongue” is a strong second single from Dopamine Chamber. It pushes the band’s sound further into processed territory while maintaining the emotional weight that fans expect.
The track is one of the album’s most visceral cuts. It is a track that rewards repeated listens, revealing new layers each time.
Fontaines D.C. are clearly taking risks on this record, and “Tongue” is evidence of that ambition. The band is moving forward, and the next few months will reveal how far they have come.
See the video the story is built around at Consequence.
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