Foals What Went Down

Foals tasted stateside success with 2013’s hook-filled Holy Fire and its single “Inhaler,” the latter a chunk ’n’ funk departure from the math rock and ethereal jams of the English band’s previous albums. What Went Down, Foals’ fourth LP, sounds like another attempt to seduce American rock radio. The first single/title track is as blustery and thick-riffed as “Inhaler,” and loudness abounds from there, especially on the less-compelling “Snake Oil,” which veils the nuance, layers and precision for which the band first became renowned. More resounding single “Mountain at My Gates” sports a well-executed tempo change, and Foals’ penchant for Talking Heads-esque polyrhythms resurfaces on “Night Swimmers.” And there’s “A Knife in the Ocean,” which unfurls like 2010’s majestic “Spanish Sahara.” That song’s album, Total Life Forever, initially disappointed but slowly revealed its many strengths. Here’s hoping What Went Down is a similar grower.