Foals - Balloons
[Transgressive]

Foals must be quaking in their boots right now, as the hype and expectation that lies on their debut album is enough to destroy even the strongest of bands. Balloons is the first new material from their well-publicised Dave Sitek (TV On The Radio) produced album sessions and the first track from next year's Antidote long-player.

Compared to the rawer, more experimental demo version that has been floating around in cyberspace since last year, Sitek's really polished the song up and on first listen it doesn't seem as strong. However, after a few spins of the single everything falls into place quite nicely. Most noticeable is the addition of a sax, which when couple to to the bulging bass adds a ska feel to the math-rock meets post-punk sound.

The guitars are angular and precise like Battles reworking Bloc Party, the drums are all hi-hats and thumping, and when teamed-up with the melodic bass, it makes their precision rock accessible on so many levels - you can dance to it at an indie club, there's enough thoughtful arrangements to demand repeated listens and their pop value means this could be aired on daytime radio quite easily.

Foals are taking the underground and experimental side of guitar-led music to the mainsteam, let's hope the album delivers everything this single promises. Watch this space; you are looking at the next Bloc Party.

7" Track Listing:

A. Balloons
B. Dearth

CD Track Listing:

1. Balloons
2. Brazil Is Here!

12" Etched Vinyl:

A. Balloons (produced by Kieran Hebden AKA Four Tet)
B. Etching