Foals' Yannis Philippakis Says New Album Is 'Emotional Catharsis'

Foals frontman Yannis Philippakis has spoken out about the newfound emotions captured in the Oxford band's second album 'Total Life Forever,' which is released on Monday, May 10.

"Before, I was almost hiding in the music, I used music to build a fortress around myself. But I realised I needed emotional catharsis. Music can be a soothing balm," Philippakis has told the Guardian.

Foals' follow-up to 2008's debut 'Antidotes' is sonically and lyrically much heavier, with the singer now confessing, "When we started, the music was almost a premeditated mix of blending techno and minimalism. We'd set ourselves these rules, like 'only staccato rhythms', and 'guitars must be played really high.' But it was all genuine. It's just been a natural progression."

Two tracks from 'Total Life Forever' are already available -- 'Spanish Sahara' and 'This Orient.' The latter released this week ahead of the new album on Monday.

Foals also start a sold-out UK tour on Friday, May 7, with several festival appearances booked for this summer, including Glastonbury and the Reading and Leeds festivals.

Catch Philipakkis and co. at the following venues:

Trent University, England (May 7)
Bristol Anson Rooms, England(May 8)
London Electric Ballroom, England (May 10)
Oxford O2 Academy, England (May 12)
Dublin Ambassador Theatre, Ireland (May 14)
Hamburg Ubel & Gefahrlich, Germany (May 20)
Vienna Club, Austria (May 25)
Zurich Abart, Switzerland (May 26)
Cologne Luxor, France (May 28)
Utrecht Tivoli de Helling, Holland (June 3)
Rock Am Ring, Germany (June 4)
Rock Im Park, Germany (June 6)
Glastonbury Festival, Somerset, England (June 26)
Slottsfjell Festival, Norway (July 15)
Melt Festival, Germany (July 16)
Benicassim Festival, Spain (July 18)
Splendour in the Grass, Australia (July 30)
Fuji Festival, Japan (August 1)
Pukkelpop Festival, Belgium (August 20)
Rock En Seine, France (August 27)
Leeds Festival, England (August 28)
Reading Festival, England (August 29)