It was always going to be emotional watching Foo Fighters return with their first new material since the death of Taylor Hawkins.
Tributes poured in from scores of musical icons after the news in March last year, with Queen’s Brian May, former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger, and Guns N’ Roses lead singer Axl Rose all sharing their treasured memories with the star, who died aged 50.
“As we say goodbye to the most difficult and tragic year that our band has ever known, we are reminded of how thankful we are for the people that we love and cherish most, and for the loved ones who are no longer with us,” wrote the Foo Fighters in a statement.
Vowing to continue making music together, they added: “Without Taylor, we never would have become the band that we were – and without Taylor, we know that we’re going to be a different band going forward.”
A spiky, uneasy anthem cut from a similar cloth to the band’s Wasting Light era – as well as recalling the rawness of their 1995 self-titled debut – new single Rescued is Dave Grohl and co’s first release since Hawkins’ death, and paves the way to surprise new record But Here We Are.
Ahead of its release on June 2, here’s everything we know so far.
What do we know about the album?
Like the Foos’ previous albums Concrete and Gold (2017) and Medicine at Midnight (2021), But Here We Are is produced by Greg Kurstin – a pop-leaning producer well known for his work with Adele, Charli XCX and Taylor Swift. According to a press release, the upcoming record draws on the “naiveté” of their 1995 debut, but also on “decades of maturity and depth”.
The release also calls But Here We Are “a brutally honest and emotionally raw response to everything Foo Fighters endured over the last year… a testament to the healing powers of music, friendship and family. Courageous, damaged and unflinchingly authentic.”
Is there a track list?
Opening with lead single Rescued, the full track list for But Here We Are is as follows:
- Rescued
- Under You
- Hearing Voices
- But Here We Are
- The Glass
- Nothing At All
- Show Me How
- Beyond Me
- The Teacher
- Rest
Can we get any clues from lead single Rescued?
“It came in a flash, it came out of nowhere,” sings Dave Grohl in the opening lines of Rescued, as a pounding, minimal drum beat first crashes into life. “It happened so fast, and then it was over”. While the opening verse seems to allude to the disorientating fog of grief, this darkness soon makes way for something subtly hopeful.
“We’re all free to some degree to dance under the lights,” Grohl sings on the anthemic chorus, pleading for brighter climes. “I’m just waiting to be rescued, bring me back to life.”
Do we know who Foo Fighters’ new drummer is?
Though there’s certainly been plenty of speculation around who could possibly step up to continue Hawkins’ legacy with the band – with Pearl Jam’s Matt Cameron and Angels & Airwaves’ Atom Willard both being rumoured – Foos are yet to confirm if they’ve brought a permanent drummer on board. It’s also not clear who is drumming on Rescued; a representative of the band was unable to provide further details when approached.
Will Foo Fighters tour But Here We Are?
Since Hawkins’ death, Foo Fighters have played two enormous tribute shows in his honour, with a huge line-up including Joan Jett, Nile Rodgers, Chrissie Hynde, Paul McCartney, Travis Barker, and Hawkins’ son Shane all taking part. This summer, meanwhile, the band are gearing up for the festival season, with shows at Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, and Fuji Rock. So far there’s no word yet on whether they’ll take But Here We Are out on its own dedicated live outing – or if they’re planning on bringing it over to UK shores.
