After 10 Years, The F16s Return With Their New Album, ‘All Dogs Go To Heaven’
Chennai-based indie alternative rock band The F16s has made a triumphant return after a decade-long hiatus with their second full-length album, All Dogs Go To Heaven, released on October 21, 2023. Reflecting a decade of growth and evolution in sound, the album serves as a poignant follow-up to their debut, Triggerpunkte, which debuted in 2016. The journey to this new project was marked by an experimental process that infused the band’s music with a sense of liberation and authenticity.
Creative Process in Ooty
In 2023, the band members—Harshan Radhakrishnan, Joshua “Josh” Fernandez, Sashank Manohar, and Abhinav Krishnaswamy—embarked on an immersive month-long retreat in Ooty, where they not only created music but embraced a unique form of self-expression. The experience culminated in a striking album cover photograph featuring the band members in a literal state of undress—a visual metaphor for the artistic freedom they sought while crafting this new work.
Josh explains that the symbolism behind the album title and cover art draws inspiration from the purity and instinct associated with dogs, which embody freedom and an absence of judgement. He notes, “It sort of wrote itself, sort of shot itself, sort of named itself.” The title All Dogs Go To Heaven emerged spontaneously during a brainstorming session, a moment that the band considers a small miracle given their usual struggles with naming past projects.
A Sonic Evolution
Since their inception nearly 13 years ago, The F16s have significantly evolved their sound. Their debut album, Triggerpunkte, showcased a blend of youthful energy and eclectic influences. The subsequent EPs, WKND FRNDS (2019) and Is It Time To Eat The Rich Yet? (2021), delved deeper into genres that included synth-pop and psychedelic rock, expanding their musical palette. Over the years, the members also explored solo projects, reflecting a diverse array of individual talents before reconvening to focus on their collective work.
As they prepared for this latest release, the band adopted a refreshingly open mindset. “Age just sort of softens you naturally,” remarks Josh, emphasizing their creative synergy. The resulting sound is a mellower and more cohesive iteration of The F16s, embodying a laid-back yet humorous vibe devoid of the constraints that previously characterized their work. Harshan made a deliberate choice to maintain the raw energy of their live performances, which he sought to capture in the recording process.
Unlike their earlier albums, where recording often involved disjointed sessions spread out over time, this latest effort was recorded collectively, allowing for a more organic musical dialogue among members. This inclusivity paved the way for a richer sound that truly reflects their individual and collective identities.
Innovative Sound and Themes
The singles from All Dogs Go To Heaven showcase this new direction. The track “Mt. Whateverest” exemplifies a deliberate pace, demonstrating the band’s evolution beyond the urgency that marked their earlier work. “LMAO” retains the band’s signature wit, illustrating that they have not lost their playful essence despite maturation. In “Little Mama’s Boy,” themes of affection and early expectations are woven into a narrative that engages listeners in a playful exploration of familial relationships.
What stands out in the new album is its thematic looseness and fluidity. The F16s did not confine themselves to a specific genre or predetermined plan; instead, they focused on creating songs that felt authentic and meaningful. Some tracks were inspired by older material while others evolved organically during their collaboration. This creative freedom is particularly striking in a music landscape increasingly dictated by social media trends and short-form content, such as the 15-second snippet popular on platforms like Instagram.
Unlike the prevailing trend of producing music tailored for algorithmic success, The F16s chose to embrace a more traditional artistic ethos—prioritizing the creation of an album that reflects their artistic vision without compromise. Joshua firmly critiques the notion of evaluating musicians and content creators by the same standards, underscoring their commitment to authenticity over visibility.
Independence in Production
The self-sufficiency exhibited in this album is another remarkable aspect of All Dogs Go To Heaven. For the first time, the band members retained complete control over their creative process, from recording to mixing and artwork. Harshan undertook the mixing at his home studio in Chennai, reinforcing the intimate nature of the project. In previous releases, they had collaborated with external engineers and mixers, but this album signifies a significant shift towards complete autonomy.
This independence has not only fostered a back-to-basics approach but has also strengthened their relationship with one another, transforming the band into a close-knit family. Josh describes the experience of returning to The F16s from individual projects as “coming home to your person,” signifying the bond that has evolved through their shared experiences and artistic journey.
The Significance of Their Return
The release of All Dogs Go To Heaven heralds a significant chapter in the trajectory of The F16s. Their approach to this album captures a unique blend of introspection, humor, and an unwavering commitment to their craft. The album serves as a testament to their resilience and creativity in a rapidly changing music landscape, promising not only a sense of nostalgia for long-time fans but also the allure of discovery for new listeners. The naked album cover, far from being a gimmick, serves as a powerful symbol of their artistic philosophy—stripped of pretense, they present a raw and honest reflection of who they are as individuals and as a band.
