How the Foo Fighters honor Taylor Hawkins in new album and single

O foo fighters is officially back. Although he has not announced the drummer who will replace taylor hawkinswho died in March last year, the group led by vocalist and guitarist Dave Grohlalready confirmed its next plans.

In addition to a series of concerts around the world, including a visit to the São Paulo festival The Town on September 9, the Foos will release a new studio album. Entitled But Here We Arethe record arrives through the seals Roswell Records/RCA.

loss year

In an official statement (via the Igor Miranda website), Foo Fighters highlighted that 2022 was “a year of immeasurable losses, introspection and many memories”. Indeed, the group remained low-key for the first few months after the loss of Taylor Hawkins. It was announced, for September, a series of two concerts full of guests in tribute to the musician, along the lines of the classic Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert (1992), in memory of the vocalist of Queen – band cited as one of Hawkins’ favourites.

The note released by the Foos to the press also highlights:

“A heartfelt and moving response to everything Foo Fighters has been through over the past year, But Here We Are is a testament to the healing powers of music, friendship and family.”

Back to the past?

At least in the official text, Foo Fighters promise to resume some of the sound presented in their debut album, eponymous and released in 1995. The record was produced in a similar context, but in a very different format.

Before starting his own band, Dave Grohl was drummer for Nirvanaone of the biggest names in rock in the early 90s. However, the group came to an end after the suicide of its leader, vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobainin April 1994.

Grohl seriously considered giving up music, but saw that without it he could not live. Therefore, he used art almost as a therapy to unwind all the feelings connected with grief. He recorded, by himself, all the instruments on the first album by the Foos – which only became a real band, with other members, at the promotion shows.

In the statement, the group makes a parallel between the 1995 work and the upcoming record.

“Produced by Greg Kurstin and the Foo Fighters, But Here We Are is the 11th Foo Fighters album and the first chapter in the band’s new life. Sonically channeling the ingenuity of the Foo Fighters’ 1995 debut, but with the maturity and depth of decades of experience, But Here We Are is the sound of brothers finding refuge in the music that first brought them together 28 years ago, a process that was as therapeutic as a continuation of life.”

the first single

The first sample of this work is available on digital platforms. This is the single “Rescue”, a track that was also positioned as the first on the album. Musicians define it this way:

“Courageous, steadfast and authentic, But Here We Are opens with the newest single “Rescued”, the first of 10 songs that range from anger and sadness to serenity and acceptance, among a myriad of questions.

The lyrics of the song (via Firefly) allows for a series of interpretations, but the intention to reflect on the feeling of the loss of Taylor Hawkins seems clear. Dave Grohl sings lines like “It came like lightning, it came out of nowhere; it happened so fast and then it was over” and “I fell into a trap; my heart is getting colder; it’s happening real fast,” which even seem to describe what Taylor might have felt as she died.

The cause of the drummer’s death has not been officially revealed until today. However, communication vehicles in Colombia, the country where he died, found that the musician’s heart had twice the normal weight – 600 grams, compared to the common 250 to 300 grams of an adult man in healthy conditions. In the urine toxicological test, 10 types of substances were initially found, including: THC (marijuana), antidepressants, benzodiazepines and opioids.

In other verses, Grohl seems to elucidate his own feelings, such as “Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Is this happening now?” Apart from the ambiguous passages, like the chorus “I’m just waiting to be rescued; bring me back to life.” It could be Taylor’s literal medical rescue or Dave’s sentimental rescue, figuratively speaking, amid grief over the death of a friend.

“Rescued” can be heard below. Also below, you can check cover art and tracklist of But Here We Are.

1. rescued
2. Under You
3. Hearing Voices
4. But Here We Are
5. The Glass
6. Nothing At All
7. Show Me How
8. Beyond Me
9. The Teacher
10. Rest