Foals on how new single ‘Exits’ reflects ‘the state of where we’re at’ in society

Watch our 'Song Stories' video interview with the band above

Foals have discussed the meaning of their bold new single ‘Exits’, along with the making of the surreal video starring Game Of Thrones’ Isaac Hempstead Wright.

Watch our ‘Song Stories’ video interview with the band above

This week saw the band return with the lead track from the first of two new albums coming this year, ‘Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost’ Part 1 and Part 2.

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“‘Exits’ is basically about trying to paint a visual picture with words about the state of where we’re at, and all the preoccupations that we have,” frontman Yannis Philippakis told NME. “The environment being one, also the state of surveillance and all of the ways that we attached to the outside world. There isn’t any privacy.

“Essentially I started fantasising about a way of living underground. It’s set in this warped and surreal landscape. It’s not necessarily a dark place, but you can take refuge from the outside world with the hope that you could come above ground at some point.”

Foals’ video for ‘Exits’

The retro-futuristic sci-fi video for ‘Exits’ was filmed in the wintry setting of Budapest back in December. Shot by director Albert Moya in minus 10 degree temperatures, the video features some very special guests.

Yannis continued: “We wanted to make a video that went with the song that was like, a set of surreal vignettes. We’ve got Isaac [Hempstead Wright] from Game Of Thrones in it, and Christa [Théret from Renoir] – who’s a French actress. Then we blew a load of money on going to some crazy locations in Budapest basically.

“It has a beginning, a middle and an end, but not necessarily in that order.”

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Drummer Jack Bevan added: “To me, it’s the most artistic music video that we’ve ever done. Visually, I just love it. It’s all shot on film, and it’s really dramatic.”

Watch our full Song Stories video interview at the top of the page

The band also spoke to NME about feeling ‘lonelier, like outliers’, as one of the few bands left from their era.

Foals, 2019

Foals will release ‘Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost’ on March 8.

Foals’ upcoming UK tour dates are:

JUNE
11 – Manchester, O2 Victoria Warehouse
14 – Tunbridge Wells, Bedgebury Pinetum
15 – Birmingham, Digbeth Arena
18 – Glasgow, SWG3 Yard
20 – Thetford, Thetford Forest
21 – London, Alexandra Palace
26 – Bournemouth, International Centre

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