The Irish lads have come a long way since they first entered the scene as a Libertines-esque group named The Fontaines. Rebranded as Fontaines D.C., and riding the neo post-punk wave that had gathered pace thanks to the success of the likes of Shame and IDLES, they've become one of the biggest new(ish) rock bands in the western world. This album of their sees them make their boldest step yet in terms of escaping the post-punk definition that blessed them in many ways, yet it makes sense for them to evolve, given that the stages that they're playing are getting bigger and bigger. The single 'In The Modern World' is a great example: it has more in common with R.E.M than The Fall and singer Grian Chatten's voice lends itself well to this cinematic grandeur. Hats off to them for having smashed it and grown up the grassroots way.