“But Here We Are” is at the core, pure catharsis for Dave Grohl and the rest of the Foo Fighters. Their 11th studio album comes after two major losses in Grohl’s life this year and is a return to the Foo’s brand of anthemic rock, tinted with a haze of grief this time around.
The band’s longtime drummer Taylor Hawkins sadly passed away on March 25, 2022 while on tour. An integral part of the Foo’s lineup, Hawkins was hired in 1997 from Alanis Morrisette’s touring band and was with the band up until he passed in his Colombia hotel room. Later that year, Grohl suffered the loss of his mother, Virginia, as well.
The lyrics focus on Grohl’s grief and loss, making for a more emotional experience than some of the previous albums. The opener “Rescued” starts with “It came in a flash / It came out of nowhere / It happened so fast / And then it was over,” clearly a reaction to the sudden passing of his best friend, Taylor.
The final track of the album, “Rest,” contains the lines “Rest / You can rest now / Rest / You will be safe now,” which is him coming to terms with the losses he suffered.
Musically, this is a return to classic Foo Fighters. Songs here are reminiscent of the emotional anguish of “Everlong” or “Best of You” from the Foo’s early albums, signaling the start of a new era for the band.
The drumming on this album was all recorded by Grohl himself, his first drumming credits on a Foo Fighters album since 2005. He channels the energy of his time in Nirvana, pounding away at the drums in more anguished moments but pulling back in softer songs.
Grohl’s vocals are as powerful as ever, screaming himself raw on some songs and whispering on others. On “Show Me How,” he duets with his daughter Violet and their voices interweave perfectly.
The stadium-filling guitar riffs, hooks and solos are here as well, with some Nirvana-styled switches from glassy cleans to heavily distorted parts.
The songs gradually slip from aggressive and energetic to softer and more emotional, as the band comes to terms with the loss of Taylor Hawkins. The songs on this album are certain to become classics on par with the earlier Foo Fighters releases and kick off a new era for the band.
“But Here We Are” is out now on all streaming services. Foo Fighters are on tour right now with Josh Freese on drums and will be visiting Spokane in August.
