Frontman Dave Grohl and Foo Fighters had a tumultuous two years.
In 2024, Grohl introduced he fathered a toddler exterior his marriage. In 2025, the band parted methods with drummer Josh Freese after only one tour — and two months later, employed Ilan Rubin to exchange him. There has been loads of change, uncertainty and introspection to kind by way of.
But on “Your Favorite Toy,” Foo Fighters’ twelfth full-length studio album out Friday, the 15-time Grammy winners are clearly having enjoyable.
While 2023’s “But Here We Are” was largely therapeutic within the wake of the deaths of longtime drummer Taylor Hawkins and Grohl’s mom, “Your Favorite Toy” is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band’s return to their Nineteen Nineties, storage rock beginnings.
When you have got a catalog as dissected as Foo Fighters, the following album all the time has a large problem to search out its place. “Your Favorite Toy” takes a number of doubtlessly polarizing dangers — some may contemplate them flaws — with an aggressive, fast-paced punk model, distorted vocals and occasional overly compressed manufacturing. But for Foo Fighters, it’s an energy-lifting hear.
“Caught In The Echo” is a thunderous tone-setter for the largely loud and brisk 10-track album, recorded at Grohl’s residence studio. After a blistering opening riff, Grohl shouts: “Do I? Do I? Do I? Do I?” — Foo Fighters’ most full of life leadoff observe since “Bridge Burning” on 2011’s “Wasting Light.”
In the beating “Of All People,” Grohl grapples with the blended feelings of considering “I’d seen a ghost” whereas encountering an unsavory particular person from his previous.
“Of all people you survived,” Grohl growls. “When no one else could stay alive / You know you should be dead / But you’re alive instead.”
The title observe raises an eyebrow at first as a result of it is strikingly totally different with Grohl’s fuzzy-sounding vocals, throughout which it appears he’s shouting at himself. But it’s punchy, catchy and stadium tour prepared.
“If You Only Knew” may change into a fan favourite with its “classic” Foo Fighters really feel, outlined by tempo modifications and shifts from a gravelly Grohl to melodic, softer tones. There’s additionally some inspiring drumming by Rubin, most just lately of Nine Inch Nails, who makes a stable first impression all through this, his debut album with Foo Fighters.
On the blistering-paced “Spit Shine,” Grohl screeches about refocusing: “The grass is never greener / Time ain’t no redeemer / Pull yourself together Mr. Man.” Validation is the theme on the foot-tapping “Child Actor.”
“Unconditional” has a Nineteen Eighties new wave, post-punk model with hints of The Cure as an optimistic Grohl insists: “There are better days awaiting.”
“Asking For A Friend,” the album’s nearer, begins with a smooth melody that builds into a mixture of ardour and aggression capped by Grohl screaming: “What is real? / I’m asking for a friend … / Or is this the end?”
Certainly not for Foo Fighters. Not with such an in-your-face welcome again.
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“Your Favorite Toy” by Foo Fighters
Three and a half stars out of 5.
On repeat: “If You Only Knew,” “Asking For A Friend,” “Caught In The Echo,” “Unconditional”
Skip it: “Window”
For followers of: Garage punk, Grohl’s growls, making an attempt new issues
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