Tenshot: Foals ‘Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost’ Part 1

Here are a few quick thoughts that I have on British indie act Foals’ latest album “Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost” Part One as well as a bit of background on the album.

• This is the first of a two-part album that Foals will be releasing this year. The second album will be released toward the end of the year.
• The release is the first since the departure of bassist and founding member Walter Gervers.
• The album is a notable departure sonically from previous Foals releases. Guitars are not as central to the album’s sound. This is particularly noticeable in tracks such as ‘In Degrees’.
• It is the first time Foals has self-produced an album.
• This album has probably the most varied sound out of all the Foals albums and also incorporates elements of their previous sounds. For a new Foals listener, this would be a good place to start.
• The lead single ‘Exits’ is among the strongest tracks not only on the album, but arguably in the entire Foals discography. It incorporates every element of the Foals sound, from the complex, math-rock of their debut album Antidotes to the more streamlined sound of more recent albums such as What Went Down and Holy Fire.
• ‘Everything Not Saved…’ also marks a departure from previous records in terms of lyrical content. Instead of the introspective lyrics which dominated previous albums, the lyrics of this album are much more outwardly focused, focusing on current events and the feelings of cynicism and despair that come with them.
• I find this album to be particularly notable as a release as there are relatively few major acts who are unapologetically guitar-driven in 2019. Frontman Yannis Philippakis has noted as much in recent interviews.
• Overall, the album is a very good one and thoroughly listenable throughout. The diversity of sounds, tempo and song length make for a strong, cohesive unit.
• Here is ‘Exits’, the lead single off the album:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMTrLtm_1GA&list=OLAK5uy_lHrVYnUmTzoxyS_ltzi8T9jJuwK-myu7Q&index=2