Foals Albums Ranked: Fan Favorites (2025)

Ranking the discography of a band like Foals is a monumental task. Each album represents a distinct era, a different sonic landscape.

From math-rock beginnings to expansive stadium anthems, their evolution has been incredible to witness. That's why we're exploring the Foals albums ranked not just by us, but by the fans who live and breathe this music.

This list is guided by community sentiment to determine what many consider the best Foals albums. We will also look at how they stack up based on current popularity data.

Ranking Foals's albums: The fan favorites

Here's how the albums stack up based on fan sentiment, community discussions, and overall buzz.

We're starting with the most beloved.

1. Life Is Yours (2022)

The band's seventh studio album, Life Is Yours, brought a vibrant and dance-oriented sound to the forefront.

It stands out as Foals's first album recorded as a trio, following the departure of keyboardist Edwin Congreave. Bassist Walter Gervers, who had also left, later rejoined the band in 2023.

The record was also notable for its use of multiple producers, including John Hill and Dan Carey, creating a polished and energetic release.

Key tracks:

• 2am
• 2001

Securing the top spot, Life Is Yours clearly captured the hearts of a significant part of the fanbase. Its optimistic energy and tight, funky tracks offered a sense of escapism that resonated deeply.

This album's high ranking suggests fans were more than ready to embrace this celebratory and life-affirming chapter of the band's career.

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2. Antidotes (2008)

Foals's debut album, Antidotes, introduced the world to their unique brand of intricate, high-energy indie rock.

Produced by TV on the Radio's Dave Sitek, the band famously decided to remix the album themselves. They felt the initial mix sounded too cavernous, like it was "recorded in the Grand Canyon."

The result is a tight, frantic, and rhythmically complex record that laid the groundwork for everything to come.

Key tracks:

• Cassius
• Olympic Airways

It is no surprise to see the band's debut ranked so highly. Antidotes holds a special place for many longtime followers.

Its raw, unfiltered energy and complex guitar work represent the foundation of the Foals sound. For many, it's the purest distillation of the band's early artistic vision.

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3. What Went Down (2015)

The band's fourth studio album, What Went Down, saw Foals embracing a much heavier and more primal sound.

Working with producer James Ford, known for his work with Arctic Monkeys, the band crafted what frontman Yannis Philippakis called their "loudest and heaviest" record.

The album was a commercial success, debuting at number 3 on the UK Albums Chart and becoming their highest-charting release in the United States.

Key tracks:

• Mountain at My Gates
• Birch Tree

Sitting comfortably near the top, What Went Down is cherished for its raw power and explosive energy. Fans often point to the album's title track as a defining moment of pure, cathartic rock.

Its position here shows a deep appreciation for the band's heavier, more aggressive side.

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4. Total Life Forever (2010)

Foals's second album marked a significant evolution in their sound. It moved away from the frantic energy of their debut toward a more atmospheric and expansive style.

Recorded in Gothenburg, Sweden, the band described the album's sound as being "like the dream of an eagle dying."

The record earned a nomination for the prestigious Mercury Prize and features the epic fan-favorite track "Spanish Sahara."

Key tracks:

• Spanish Sahara
• Blue Blood

For a large portion of the fanbase, Total Life Forever is the moment Foals truly became the band they are today. It represents a maturation and a new depth in their songwriting.

Its placement shows a huge respect for this pivotal, moodier turn in their discography, cementing its status as a critical and fan favorite.

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5. Holy Fire (2013)

Holy Fire saw Foals crystallize their sound into something built for massive stages. The album blended their rhythmic complexity with huge, anthemic choruses.

Working with legendary producers Flood and Alan Moulder, the band created some of their most well-known tracks, including the breakout hit "My Number."

The album was another critical success, earning the band a Mercury Prize nomination and solidifying their status as a premier live act.

Key tracks:

• My Number
• Inhaler

This record is a powerhouse and a significant reason for the band's widespread popularity. It contains some of their biggest and most immediate songs.

While some purists may favor their earlier or more experimental work, its position reflects its undeniable impact and role as a gateway album for countless new fans.

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6. Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost Part II (2019)

The second half of the band's ambitious double album project, Part II serves as a heavier, more direct counterpart to its predecessor.

Released in the same year as Part 1, this collection of songs showcases a more guitar-driven and aggressive sound, acting as a powerful conclusion to the two-part concept.

Key tracks:

• The Runner
• Neptune

As the closing chapter of a large-scale project, Part II is often seen in relation to its companion piece. Its heavier tones provided a stark, powerful finish.

Its lower ranking in fan sentiment might reflect the challenge of judging it as a standalone work, but its intensity is undeniable and praised by those who love the band's rock-focused sound.

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7. Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost Part I (2019)

The first installment of the double album project, Part 1 was Foals's fifth studio album and their first without founding bassist Walter Gervers.

This record blended synth-heavy textures with propulsive rhythms, tackling themes of environmental anxiety and political dislocation.

It was a critical success, earning the band another Mercury Prize nomination for its ambitious scope and timely subject matter.

Key tracks:

• Exits
• In Degrees

While critically acclaimed, the fan ranking places Part 1 at the end of this list. This could be due to the sheer strength of the rest of the discography rather than a slight against the album itself.

As part of a two-album concept, its identity is tied to its counterpart, and fans may have simply connected more strongly with other, more self-contained eras of the band.

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Picked your top Foals classic? Check out Foals's discography on their Roll The Record Artist hub.

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Foals albums: A look at popularity data

While fan sentiment paints a rich picture, current popularity data can offer another interesting angle.

This looks at an artist's discography through a different lens.

Below is a ranking of Foals's albums based on their popularity scores from available data. This reflects which releases are currently seeing significant engagement.

Popularity Rank	Album Title	Release Year
1	What Went Down	2015
2	Holy Fire	2013
3	Life Is Yours	2022
4	Total Life Forever	2010
5	Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost Part II	2019
6	Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost Part I	2019
7	Antidotes	2008

Quick FAQs about Foals's albums

Q: Is Foals a trio on Life Is Yours?

A: Yes, Life Is Yours is the band's first album that was recorded as a trio. This followed the amicable departures of keyboardist Edwin Congreave and bassist Walter Gervers, who has since returned to the band.

Q: What is the Life Is Dub album?

A: Life Is Dub is a complete remix album of Life Is Yours by producer Dan Carey. It was released for Record Store Day in 2023 and reimagines the entire record in a dub style.

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So there you have it – a detailed look at the Foals albums ranked by fan consensus and by popularity.

It's clear that every album holds a special significance, whether it's the raw debut or the polished, anthemic releases that followed.

Ultimately, the "best" Foals album is the one that connects with you. It's about the moments those songs have soundtracked in your own life.

What does your personal ranking look like?