Score: 8/10
Release Date: 06/15/2010
Label: Sub Pop
Band Website

For only being on album number two, Foals has been taking the world by storm. Upon the release of Antidotes in 2008, they were hoisted to the top of UK charts, the rest of the world soon followed. With leaks of “Spanish Sahara” going viral in March 2010, the anticipation for the June 15^, 2010 release of Total Life Forever seemed like an eternity away. Foals didn’t keep their fans with anticlimax; Total Life Forever is indeed worth the wait. According to front man Yannis Philippakis regarding the journey from Antidotes to their current effort, “We and Antidotes were quite self-aware so we’ve tried to regress into a more naive state. To cut away at that conscious thing… A song will just be about expression now. It’ll be more honest.”

Foals eases into the first song, “Blue Blood,” with the gentle bounce of single note guitar picking. With cryptic lyrics, solemn tones are sung about blood being on someone’s hands. The second person address continues as the spirit of the song is lifted by the music, yet left thought provoking with lyrics. The intricacies of the guitar finger work, looping, and change of texture is breathtaking, only matched by the signature vocals of Yannis Philippakis. The soul-searching journey ends with the lyrics, “You got the blood on your hands/I know it’s my own/We can go down to the streets/follow the show/Of all of the people/I hoped it’d be you/You showed me the way back home/to where I was born, to where I belong, where I belong.”

“Miami” is a deep, groovy song. Pulling sounds from the 80’s with a contemporary flair, Foals gives the listener a song perfectly suited to roll their car windows down, let the air blow through their hair as charisma blasts through the airwaves. Continuing the feel good vibe with “Total Life Forever,” the title track, Philippakis expresses in romantic lament that to the arms of his lover is his total life forever, but that will never be enough for his beloved. The backing music on this track is rhythmic and time-centric. There is some sliding bass, and a bridge of handclaps that eases back into the full, dancy resonance. There are some other sounds in Total Life Forever that show off the current voice of the British Invasion such as the minimal guitar lead with mirrored base lines heard in “Black Gold.” Those sounds might remind the listener of The xx. In contrast to The xx, instead of keeping the vocals simple, Foals favors anthemic choruses.

Continuing with “Spanish Sahara,” Foals shows their feathers in full plume. With the slow introduction of the guitar and light rhythm of drum taps, the air of tragedy is thick. Philippakis’ vocals singing of horror are emotionally evocative. The drum section leads the mood from being defeated to determined as the message of the lyrics do not change. “I’m the fury your head/I’m the fury in you bed/I’m the ghost in the back of your head.” Philippakis sings. Distorted guitars start to swirl, layer upon layer, as the song continues to bloom. As “Spanish Sahara” reaches it’s full crescendo it pulls out, layer by layer, beautifully descending into nothing.

The album continues with various shades of their well-defined style. The song that catches the listener unaware on the second half of the album is “Alabaster.” Instead of starting slow and developing into a fast-paced sing-out, Foals shows off their ear for deep electronics and minor tones. The remaining songs on Total Life Forever are more of what you would expect, with a few ethereal, post-rock infused riffs, electronics, and thick drumming surprises.

Total Life Forever is an album with its arrows aimed towards growth and further defining what Foals is all about. Not only have they accomplished this, they have delivered a solid album that is sure to stand the test of time.