THE LAFONTAINES - ‘BUSINESS AS USUAL’

Writer’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Those who know about The LaFontaines know that their fans ride hard for the boys. The rap rock trio are one of Scotland’s most polarising bands as everyone in the country seems to have an opinion. Whether you think they’re the worst band to come out of the country or the best thing since sliced bread, very few people who know of them have little to say. With their return to the spotlight and the band’s fourth album on the horizon, ‘Business As Usual’ is a bold and raucous statement of intent.

The band’s first new song since 2021’s ‘Is It Free?’ it is safe to say they are back with a bang as ‘Business As Usual’ is an absolute anthem to be screaming from the rooftops. From the subdued, acoustic intro with Jamie Keenan delivering the hook “If I can just be honest, I think I’d rather be on it” it immediately feels like The LaFontaines at their peak. Silly, clever, irreverent and totally tuned in to who they are whilst also never undercutting the emotion of the song. It is classic Fonts and a reminder of why they are one of the best band’s making music.

The famously divisive rapping from Kerr Okan and his thick Scottish accent is as excellent as ever and lyrically he hasn’t missed a step since we last heard from him and the boys. It’s smart, it’s clever, it flows fantastic and he really reminds us why this band are so special. Many people look at their style as a gimmick but anyone who has taken the time to put The LaFontaines on and sit with it knows that this is just who they are. They are unapologetically themselves and it shines through with everything they do. ‘Business As Usual’ is a great return to the limelight for Scotland’s best and if this is a sign of things to come with the new album then I say bring it on.