Fontaines D.C. Share Rosalía Collaboration 'Where Is Gone?' Ahead of New Album

Fontaines D.C. have released 'Where Is Gone?', a collaboration with Spanish singer Rosalía, ahead of the arrival of their fifth studio album, 'Dopamine Chamber', this Friday (16 October).

The track marks the first time the Dublin five-piece have featured a guest vocalist on one of their studio albums. Having spent much of their career developing their own distinctive sound, the decision to collaborate with one of the world's most celebrated contemporary artists represents another interesting development for a band whose ambitions have continued to grow.

'Where Is Gone?' is a slow-burning, cinematic ballad built around sweeping strings, restrained instrumentation and the contrasting voices of Grian Chatten and Rosalía. There are echoes of Ennio Morricone's spaghetti-western soundtracks and the dramatic arrangements associated with classic James Bond themes. Rather than attempting to create an obvious crossover hit, the pair deliver a melancholy duet about a relationship approaching its end.

Chatten's deep, unmistakable delivery provides a striking contrast to Rosalía's expressive vocals, with the two singers exchanging verses before coming together for the chorus. The orchestral arrangements give the song a grandeur that feels removed from the scrappy post-punk of Fontaines D.C.'s earliest recordings, although the emotional unease running through it remains familiar.

The collaboration was first revealed in September when the band announced the full tracklist for 'Dopamine Chamber'. Guitarist Carlos O'Connell, who grew up in Madrid surrounded by both Spanish and Irish cultures, has spoken about his admiration for Rosalía and the similarities between their approaches to music.

O'Connell explained that he had followed Rosalía since her debut album, admiring her ability to keep Spanish musical traditions alive while bringing them to a contemporary audience. He recognised something similar in Fontaines D.C.'s relationship with Irish music, describing the connection between the two artists as particularly meaningful given his own background.

'Where Is Gone?' follows the release of 'Marianne' and 'Tongue', offering another indication of the musical direction the band have pursued since 2024's 'Romance'. That record took them further away from the guitar-driven sound of 'Dogrel' and 'A Hero's Death', introducing elements of electronica, shoegaze and expansive alternative rock. The forthcoming album appears set to continue that experimentation, with darker electronic textures and increasingly ambitious arrangements.

Produced by James Ford, who also worked on 'Romance', 'Dopamine Chamber' contains eleven tracks and has been described by Chatten as a collection of mood-altering songs. The album explores the relationship between technology, escapism and human emotion, reflecting the increasingly fragmented world around us.

Its release comes during an extraordinary period for Fontaines D.C. Having emerged from Dublin's independent music scene with their debut album in 2019, they have developed into one of the biggest British and Irish guitar bands of their generation. As explored in our feature, ‘Boys in the Better Land: The Story of Fontaines D.C.’, their rise has been remarkable. Their growing popularity has taken them from clubs to major festival headline slots, including an emotional performance at Reading Festival 2026. With two nights at Slane Castle and huge outdoor shows in Manchester, Newcastle, Cardiff, Glasgow and London scheduled for summer 2027, their ambitions show no signs of slowing.

For a band that once seemed inseparable from the sound of Dublin's streets, working with Rosalía might initially appear an unlikely move. Yet the collaboration feels consistent with their refusal to repeat themselves. 'Where Is Gone?' brings together two distinctive voices without sacrificing the character of either artist, offering one final glimpse of 'Dopamine Chamber' before its release.