Brian King and David Prowse, the dynamic guitar-drums duo, are set to deliver one last electrifying performance with their new album, *Fate & Alcohol*. Katie Hawthorne writes on October 18, 2024, that this long-awaited reunion for Japandroids fans may also serve as a bittersweet farewell. Arriving six years after King and Prowse’s last show, the Canadian duo’s fourth and final album combines Springsteen-inspired storytelling with the punk intensity that marked their breakthrough, *Celebration Rock*, in 2012. *Fate & Alcohol* is a classic tale of romance—full of breathless excitement, hedonism, and wistful moments—until it shifts gears.
In tracks like “Eye Contact High,” King expresses a love at first sight, brought to life by Prowse’s driving, urgent drumming and exuberant gang vocals. The bluesy epic “Alice,” showcased at their final gig, builds up with anticipation, culminating in the line: “When she said kiss me, you bet I did!” However, the narrative takes a darker turn in “Chicago,” told partly from the perspective of a bartender observing two deeply hungover friends (or perhaps lovers) grappling with reality. King’s terse chorus—“Sorry baby, we call it like we see it in Chicago”—creates a contrast that makes the rest of the album feel somewhat overdone.
Meanwhile, “One Without the Other” captures the thrills and allure of touring, intertwined with King’s candid revelations about his past. He recently shared with Stereogum that he has been sober for a year and is preparing for fatherhood. Passionate yet bittersweet, *Fate & Alcohol* stands out as a breakup album that ultimately suggests that this conclusion is a positive turn for the duo.
