The band was formed in 2005 by Philippakis and Bevan, both former members of math rock band The Edmund Fitzgerald, and Andrew Mears of Youthmovies. Mears left the band after their first single to focus on Youthmovies. In January 2018, it was announced that Walter Gervers was also leaving the band.
In early 2007, the band released the limited edition 7" singles Hummer and Mathletics, both produced by Gareth Parton. In the summer of 2007 Foals began working on their debut album in New York. It was produced by Dave Sitek of TV On The Radio, however, the band decided to mix the album themselves, stating that Sitek made the first master copy of the album sound like "it was recorded in the Grand Canyon". Yannis has stated multiple times during various interviews that Foals and Dave Sitek are on good terms, even though the copy by Sitek was rejected by the band.
Foals released their debut album, entitled Antidotes, on 24 March 2008 in the UK and 8 April 2008 in the US. The album was a commercial success in the United Kingdom, debuting at No. 3 in the UK Albums Charts. The album was a minor success in other countries, charting in Japan, France and the Netherlands. Non-UK versions of the album include the early Parton produced singles.
In August 2009, Foals started recording their second album at Svenska Grammofon Studion in Gothenburg, Sweden. The album, Total Life Forever, has been described by the band members as sounding like "tropical prog" and "like the dream of an eagle dying". The band have described the album as being "a lot less funk" than they had originally planned. The album was produced by Luke Smith, formerly of Clor, and its title is named after an element of Ray Kurzweil's theory of singularity. The band's frontman Yannis Philippakis has professed a long time interest in futurology, with it informing numerous songs on Total Life Forever.
On 1 March 2010, the promotional single "Spanish Sahara" was first played on Zane Lowe's show Radio 1. Foals' new website was updated that night with the release of a video for the track directed by longtime collaborator Dave Ma. On 6 March, the Total Life Forever site was officially launched. Puzzles revealed images, lyrics and sound clips of songs from the album. The last clip appeared on 12 March, and resulted with a password entry for the Foals' new website. The site was opened on 13 March and presented the whole new art concept and media including samples of songs, photos and videos. Lead single "This Orient" was released on 3 May 2010. The album was finally released on 10 May 2010. "Spanish Sahara" was later released as a full physical single in September 2010, featuring an edited remix starring the strings of London Contemporary Orchestra. The album was nominated for the 2010 Mercury Prize.
http://foals.co.uk
Heavy Water
Foals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Communicate,
She dreams of empty swings around,
We communicate,
Vampires and their guns.
We bully clouds now,
We bully clouds now,
Pass the time away,
You deface,
Fight these vampires,
Fight these vampires
The lyrics to Foals's song "Heavy Water" convey a sense of detachment and anxiety. The repetition of the phrase "We communicate" suggests a struggle to connect with others, and the reference to "empty swings" implies a feeling of loneliness or solitude. The line "Vampires and their guns" can be interpreted figuratively as a symbol of the forces that threaten to drain our energy and vitality, or alternatively, as a literal reference to the fear of violence or danger.
The second half of the song introduces a more aggressive tone, with the repetition of "We bully clouds now" suggesting a desire to assert control over the environment as a means of coping with feelings of powerlessness. The phrase "You deface" can be taken to mean a rejection of traditional forms of communication or expression, and the repeated exhortation to "fight these vampires" suggests a need to overcome fear and anxiety in order to achieve a sense of agency and autonomy.
Overall, "Heavy Water" is a powerful meditation on the challenges of communication and self-expression, suggesting that the path to empowerment lies in confronting our fears and engaging with the world on our own terms.
Line by Line Meaning
We communicate,
We exchange words and ideas with each other
Communicate,
Continuing to exchange words and ideas
She dreams of empty swings around,
She envisions deserted swings in the surroundings
We communicate,
We continue to converse
Vampires and their guns.
Talking about vampires and their weapons
We bully clouds now,
We disturb the clouds in the sky
We bully clouds now,
Still disturbing the clouds in the sky
To pass the time away,
Doing this to kill time
Pass the time away,
Continuing to kill time
You deface,
You damage or vandalize something
Fight these vampires,
Combat these undead creatures
Fight these vampires
Continue fighting against these vampires
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Edwin Thomas Congreave, Jack William Bevan, James Andrew Smith, Walter James Morrison Gervers, Yannis Barnabas Emanuel Philippakis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hhoopplaa
We communicate, communicate
And she dreams of empty swings around
We communicate with vampires and their guns
We bully clouds now
We bully clouds now
To pass the time away
Pass the time away
You deface
We fight these vampires
Fight these vampires
@macacoartico42
Comunicamos,
We communicate,
Comunicar,
Communicate,
Ella sueña con columpios vacíos alrededor,
She dreams of empty swings around,
Comunicamos,
We communicate,
Los vampiros y sus armas.
Vampires and their guns.
Ahora intimidamos a las nubes,
We bully clouds now,
Ahora intimidamos a las nubes,
We bully clouds now,
Para pasar el tiempo,
To pass the time away,
Pasa el tiempo,
Pass the time away,
tu desfiguras,
You deface,
Lucha contra estos vampiros,
Fight these vampires,
Lucha contra estos vampiros
Fight these vampires
@lambdashiftakadavidheikkil2657
Could y'all make another mathy album like this again. I love the style of this album.
@devinrohan6122
Instablaster...
@greynose5650
yes please
hoo boi
@vanessamiranda1929
how can something be so perfect holy shit.
@johnturtle6649
The way I found this, its simple. Just type in full album on youtube, and choose wisely.
@aidandragon9035
Holy fire
@kevinhernandez7522
Stationed in Chicago, Illinois
When I can't sleep this is my shit
@Message167
Hey Chicago friend.
@kevinhernandez7522
hey I just seen this
@karenperez576
Este álbum me cambio la vida 💫💘☄