But Here We Are is the eleventh studio album by American rock band Foo Fighters, released on June 2, 2023. Produced by Greg Kurstin and the band itself, it is their first studio album since the death of their longtime drummer Taylor Hawkins on March 25, 2022. Frontman Dave Grohl performed and recorded the entirety of the album's drum tracks in Hawkins' absence. Two singles, "Rescued" and "Under You", were released ahead of the album, as well as "Show Me How" and "The Teacher" which were released as promotional singles. Drummer Josh Freese was announced as the band's new drummer for the supporting tour.[5][6]
But Here We Are is dedicated to both Hawkins and Virginia; the latter of whom is Dave Grohl's mother who died in August 2022.[7][8]
Background
As early as mid-2021, Dave Grohl had already been planning for a follow-up album to Medicine at Midnight (2021).[9] Grohl noted that each album the band records is a response to the prior one, and in response to Medicine at Midnight, he was considering writing "an insane prog-rock record".[9] Grohl had not even started writing said material, as the band was still focusing on touring in support of Medicine at Midnight.[9] Despite this, all plans were abruptly cancelled after longtime drummer, Taylor Hawkins, unexpectedly died in March 2022.[10] The band cancelled everything planned for the rest of the year, largely going quiet and leaving their future uncertain. In December 2022, a statement was released confirming that Foo Fighters would continue, but that they were "going to be a different band going forward".[11]
Rumors of a new album arose in February 2023, when radio DJ Chris Moyles on the UK's Radio X casually mentioned a new album to be released in March.[12] Moyles would later apologize for speaking out of turn on the subject, but refused to clarify his comments.[13] The album was later officially announced on April 19, 2023, alongside its official title, But Here We Are.[3][14] At the time of the album's announcement, a replacement for Hawkins had still not been publicly disclosed.[15] It was later disclosed that Grohl performed the drums on the album, his first drumming credit on a Foo Fighters studio album since 2005.[16]
Recording and themes
The album is the third collaboration with producerGreg Kurstin, following Medicine at Midnight (2021) and Concrete and Gold (2017).[17] The band described the album's sound as "sonically channeling the naivete of Foo Fighters' 1995 debut album, informed by decades of maturity and depth" while lyrically exploring "a brutally honest and emotionally raw response to everything Foo Fighters have endured recently [...] 10 songs that run the emotional gamut from rage and sorrow to serenity and acceptance, and myriad points in between."[18] The album was also described as "the first chapter of the band's new life".[15] Lyrically, the album explores Grohl coming to terms with not only Hawkins' death, but also that of his mother, Virginia, who died at an undisclosed-to-the-public time in 2022.[19] "Under You" released as the album's second single, has been described as melodic punk.[20]
Release and promotion
The album was released on June 2, 2023.[21] The first single, "Rescued", was released concurrently with the announcement of the album on April 19.[21] A second song, "Under You", was released ahead of the album on May 17.[4] Over 25 live shows in support of the album have been announced across North America and Europe.[15] On May 21, Josh Freese was announced as the band's new drummer, and during the livestream they debuted the song "Nothing at All".[22] Freese made his live concert debut on May 24, where the band debuted the album's title track.[23] Another song, "Show Me How", was released on May 25 and features Grohl harmonizing with his daughter Violet.[24]
But Here We Are received critical acclaim from critics. At Metacritic, the album has an average score of 86 out of 100, which indicates "universal acclaim" based on 22 reviews.[26]Spin described it as "one of the strongest albums of the band's career" and concluded that "if you don't have a big, fat lump in your throat or head-to-toe goosebumps all over your body while listening to But Here We Are, you may not have a pulse."[34]Kerrang! praised the album's emotional content, noting that "It's a miracle not only that it was made, but also that it boasts the mesmeric lyrical and musical qualities it does. Somehow Dave Grohl found a way to wrap words around the enormity of his grief as he surrendered to his own impossible circumstances."[19]Clash's Emma Harrison described it as "Heartbreaking, but hopeful - this is a masterclass...with its heady hooks and exuberant riffs, But Here We Are is ambitious, poignant, and vivid in equal measure."[35] Maura Johnston writing for Rolling Stone said the album "depicts grief in immediate terms" and "possess a vitality" and described it as "one of their best records ever".[36]
In June 2023, Alternative Press published an unranked list of the top 25 albums of the year to date and included this release, calling it "nothing short of miraculous in the sense and sound of mastery and of hope that can be heard from the top track to the very last note".[37]
Accolades
Numerous critics and publications listed But Here We Are in their year-end ranking of the best albums of 2023.
^Zanes, Anna; Hardman, Neville; Schade, Alessandra (December 12, 2023). "50 best albums of 2023". Alternative Press Magazine. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
