Over 30 years into their career, Foo Fighters have released their 12th album Your Favourite Toy. Built from a bank of demos, the record follows a chronological thread, with ten songs shaped by the muses and memories of David Grohl’s youth. Grohl has spoken openly about how complicated his relationship with music became after the death of his bandmate and drummer Taylor Hawkins.
This album feels different because it reflects where he stands now. I agree with him. There is a sense of renewal throughout the album, a shift in tone that gives Foo Fighters a slightly different sound while still holding onto the familiar ingredients that fans can recognise instantly.
A few of these tracks will possibly appear within their upcoming Stadium shows in Liverpool. Grohl has also faced negative attention recently after reports of an affair. He is currently fathering a child outside of his marriage, while still being with his wife.
He said that this album captures moments in his life that he regrets, and that he often finds it easier to write and put his soul into music. He has expressed the hurt he has felt by harming the people around him. That sentiment does appear in the album, although often in a vague and indirect way.
A little more vulnerability could have made the album even more compelling. Songs like ‘Child Actor’ hint at something deeper by confronting his lifelong need for validation as a young musician, while ‘Unconditional’ feels like someone holding on to memories with guilt. However, the emotional core within the lyrics sometimes feels slightly out of reach.
The guitars and instrumentals are great, layered, and strong, but it’s missing the grit and looseness that usually define Foo Fighters. In an interview with Planet Rock, the band mentioned that they intentionally left mistakes in the recordings. This adds another layer to the album’s title.
It gives a sense of things moving in different directions, as if the songs are constantly taking shape and being toyed with. The guitars stack and collide, turning imperfections into something purposeful. ‘Spit Shine’ is a perfect example. It is raw, snarky, and unpolished in a way that feels refreshing.
It is something the band clearly enjoyed making, and it stands out as a favourite of mine too. Grohl mentioned in an Apple Music interview that he still rehearses every day and feels genuinely lucky to keep making music. That dedication absolutely comes through on ‘Your Favourite Toy’.
The craftsmanship is undeniable. But there’s also a sense that this discipline sometimes sands down the rougher edges, the very edges that if pushed further, could have taken the album somewhere more daring. His gratitude is real and moving, yet it occasionally translates into caution.
At moments, the band feels almost too comfortable, as if they’re holding back rather than leaning into risk. As a whole, Your Favourite Toy is a good album, even if it plays things a little safe. That isn’t inherently a flaw.
Foo Fighters have shaped some of the most influential rock music of the last few decades. Still, I genuinely believe that embracing more experimentation would allow them to evolve in even more ways. This album doesn’t feel like one of those leaps.
It’s thoughtful and well‐constructed, but it doesn’t always dig as deep as it could.