Elton John has praised Fontaines D.C. as “the best band out there at the moment.”

The comment came in a recent interview John conducted with Fontaines D.C. frontman, Grian Chatten, discussing the band’s new album, Romance. “Having watched you at Glastonbury, having heard the new album — you’ve just grown every album,” John said. “You seem to have found your feet with this album in such a big way… it’s a brilliant record.”

Get Fontaines D.C. Tickets Here

Chatten, for his part, agreed that the band feels like they’ve found a solid footing. “I kinda feel like it’s the first time that I haven’t been chasing it with another record, you know what I mean?” he said. “I’m going to enjoy being in this thing.”

Reaffirming his admiration, John doubled-down, saying, “I think this album takes you — and I’ve been around for a long time — to a different level, and it’s going to stay around for a long, long time. But what’s more important about it: the music is really, really, really special. Congratulations on everything, Grian, it’s bloody wonderful.”

Watch a clip of the interview below.

Romance was released just under a month ago, and was named by Consequence as one of the best new releases to arrive this past August. Among its tracks are highlights like “In the Modern World” — which earned Song of the Week status when it dropped — and the lead single, “Starbuster,” which Consequence praised as the best song of 2024 so far this past June.

Fontaines D.C. will continue their 2024 tour with dates across North America and Europe, including stops in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, London, and more. Get tickets here.

For more, check out Fontaines D.C.’s recent conversation with Consequence about the 10 essential romance albums they think everyone should own.