Album Review: Foals “Life Is Yours” Screams Summer Funk Rock Anthem

With eleven rave-ready tunes, the seventh full-length studio album sonically explodes with energising intensity as summer bliss takes center stage.

Rating: 3.5/5

If you’re a fan of breezy funk rock anthems with a twist of the 80s, then waking up to the release of Foals’ Life Is Yours should feel like drinking a refreshing margarita on a warm summer day (at a beach party). After an undoubtedly dark period, the art-rockers made a comeback with yet another ambitious album. Not just worldwide, but in 2019, analogous to their previous ambitious two-part thematic endeavour about chaos and death, Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost.

The band's seventh full-length album has amazing energetic discotheque, laddering riffs, and catchy tunes that reorganise themselves into a happier sound landscape. Yet, with their most pop-oriented record to date, there isn't much opportunity for interpretation other than to gradually experiment on the dance floor. Howbeit, it’s about finding a new form of expression with tracks that are ready for a rave, and embracing the summertime euphoric party feeling that was repressed during the early COVID pandemic days.

Album Exploration

Their opening song, "Life Is Yours", immediately sprung into life with a dance-infused tempo. Their instantly recognisable synth-like melodies serve as a warm-up before the more energising "Wake Me Up", which was released as the first single in the last quarter of 2021. There’s a sense of joyful funk-rock that takes you back to the 1980s, as well as flourishing bass lines and multiple layers of rich rhythm.

In an interview with Radio X, frontman, Yannis Philippakis, described setting the tone that “shares a DNA throughout the record: a physicality, a danceability, an ode to nights out, and socialising”. Analogous to its music videos which likewise have a distinct, colourful, vivid cadence that is immediately apparent.

The Oxford lads teamed up with renowned American producer John Hill, who has previously worked with Portugal The Man and Florence + The Machine, and English producer Dan Carey, who has previously collaborated with Tame Impala.

Lockdown Struggle That Is Relatable in “2am” and “2001”

A nostalgic representation of a realistic personal struggle and the aggravation of feeling caught in a rut, the lyrics of "2am" and "2001" are contemplative, melancholy, and literal.

Yet, there were two distinct life stages depicted in the narrative. “2am” speaks about having troubled waking thoughts on insomniac nights, “I lost myself again, I just need time to mend. Some quiet and some care, some time to repair.”

Whilst the latter brings back memories of naïve and carefree youth, using lyrics like “Raspberry candy cane, blue tongues in summer rain.” And in contrary, insinuating limitations of not having full autonomy, “I’ve been waiting all day inside, waiting for a summer sky.”

It’s cathartic that the tracks are upbeat musically, releasing build-up tension and piloting a sense of hope for new beginnings. In comparison, “2am” is more breath-taking than the latter simply by Jimmy Smith’s smashing keyboard playing, Jake Bevan’s catchy drum beat intertwined with Yannis Philippakis’ clever riffs. The combination is almost perfect.

“Flutter” Takes On a Slower Tempo

Before "Flutter" creeps in, "(summer sky)" enters and exits in a split second, making for a fairly forgettable interlude. The introduction has a fittingly airy-like summer ambience that trails out a new chapter to unravel lighter moments. Noticeable gritty riffs streamlines at the one-minute mark, before subtle funky riffs took its turn to flourish almost mid-way. The tempo took a slight descent this time, a consolation that still sounds cohesive.

Tracks That Sound Like Repetitive Fillers

From "Looking High" on, the beat quickens as more danceable elements are added to the drop-downs. In contrast to the prior energy-packed anthems, these tracks sonically feature pronounced rhythmic gaps that lack power. They begin to sound a little worn out, like a monotonous filler.

A sequence in "The Sound" where the band members begin to thank everyone on stage before an encore is an imagined representation when a live concert set ends. The only track that can get you out of your stupor is "Wild Green", which has a catchy disco beat.

Evolution of Musical and Visual Style

By the fourth track, their music evolution is evident from their math-rock days, most notably “Spanish Sahara” from Total Life Forever, that was released more than a decade ago.

In comparison to their visual style, their earlier days are spotted to have a more somber, cool-toned aesthetic. Notwithstanding the departure of Edwin Congreave, their keyboardist of 15 years, their creative direction never fails to impress.

Whilst other bands, like The Maccabees, has evidently developed slower tempos in their tracks, these English lads have been in the business for a while now, continuously astounding us with new contagious energy.

Final Thoughts

Foals has always had a vast sonic palette, and the complexity of instrumentation in this album is praiseworthy, despite being a three-piece band. With Yannis Philippakis' airy cursive vocals, they have elevated their musical prowess whilst maintaining their distinct personality.

The first four tracks, along with "Wild Green", are energising on their own and have grooves that can get people up and moving. Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost had its fair share of intensity and anger. And after a few years cooped up in the pandemic wave, Foals took a shift and intended to party—this album definitely screams summer euphoria.

The major flaw of Life Is Yours is the lack of variety; after the first half, everything starts to sound repetitive. To keep the listening experience interesting, it could be better to either cut the filler and remove a few repetitive sounding tracks, or to use various tempos throughout the album.

What’s Next?

Foals is ready to rile up the crowd with their long-awaited live performance on a big stage. They are to headline Obelisk Arena at Latitude Festival, Suffolk, United Kingdom on 23rd July 2022 along with two other English powerhouses, Lewis Capaldi and Snow Patrol.

Click here to purchase tickets and to learn more about Latitude. Visit their official website for more touring dates.

Life Is Yours is out on June 17 via Warner Music.