ifiweretobeapolarbearagain: July 2010

Foals latest album, Total Life Forever, is an unexpectedly mature return to the spotlight for the Oxford quintet. Where Foals precision and experimental originality won fans' hearts with their debut, the second helping has developed something deeply emotive, planned and dramatic while maintaining the signature elements that made their sound so unique and genuine.

While the previous album's creative theme reflected the playful and innovative nature of the bands final product, the new album lies in an abundance of poetic maturity. This maturity is best demonstrated by the elegiac anthem Spanish Sahara, which is one of the videos featured in this blog's June 2010 I'd Rather Be Watching... posts.

Through an enthralling four minute build the song captures a meaningful essence the band have never before accomplished, and with a swift spine-tingling change the song becomes more dynamic than even the suspense of the four previous minutes could have suggested. Not only is Spanish Sahara an instrumental achievement to write home about, but lyrically it's the poster song for Foals growing creativity, offering a haunting perspective concerning past sins and sufferings.

The band have not, however, abandoned the sound they're loved for. The exuberant nature of Antidotes is exceptionally captured in the album, most notably by Miami, Black Gold and Total Life Forever. But after listening to the album start to finish, it's clear that the true merit of this album dwells in the new creative direction presented so well in Spanish Sahara and the brilliantly executed confession of personal fascination, This Orient.

For the fans that found themselves expecting more from Antidotes on a basis of the standard set by Hummer (made famous by the Various Artists compilation, Kitsuné Maison 4), Foals sophomore album will deliver listeners' expectations and a wealth of other gifts to the ears. The album's awesome diversity offers remarkably expressive builds and changes though ensures no shortage of the catchy hooks that made the first album so strangely accessible. Of all of the differences that set these albums apart, the most significant is how much more Total Life Forever offers to be appreciated.