WHAT WENT DOWN

Track Listing

1. What Went Down

2. Mountain at My Gates

3. Birch Tree

4. Give It All

5. Albatross

6. Snake Oil

7. Night Swimmers

8. London Thunder

9. Lonely Hunter

10. A Knife in the Ocean

My Rating
8/10

Average Critic Rating
7.5/10

Overview
’What Went Down’ is a monumental record that cements Foals’ ability to craft songs that feel both intimate and arena-ready. It’s undoubtedly their heaviest record to date, and it marks a fresh approach that has been executed perfectly - It’s clear the band is pushing their sound to its most primal and explosive form here. The album thrives on its contrasts - pummelling, almost feral instrumentation that demands the energy of a mosh pit, to then interspersed with moments of haunting beauty that create a dynamic tension throughout. Ultimately, ‘What Went Down’ feels like the culmination of everything Foals have been building towards. It’s a defining moment in their discography, showcasing a band fully in their element yet unafraid to take risks.

Recommended for math rockers finally ready to actually rock-out.

Featured Song
Mountain at My Gates

Most Streamed
Mountain at My Gates

Least Streamed
A Knife in the Ocean

Underrated
Night Swimmers

TVV Top 3 Songs
What Went Down | Mountain at My Gates | Birch Tree

Singles
What Went Down | Mountain at My Gates | Birch Tree | Give It All

TVV Top 3 Non-Singles
Snake Oil | Night Swimmers | London Thunder

Listen to Again?
Yes

No-Skip Album?
No

Album Artwork Rating
8/10

It’s moody and creates an extremely haunting energy for the album, which I believe fits perfectly. It’s almost like a monster finally rising from the murk of a swamp - an apt metaphor for the album’s energy: the beast unleashed.

Genre
Alternative Rock

RL
Transgressive Records / Warner Records

Recording Studio
La Fabrique (Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Fance)