Foals unveiled their fourth album, the eagerly anticipated What Went Down, today, so fans can now go out to their favourite record store or log on to iTunes to get their hands on a copy and spin it to their heart’s content.

However, for some fans of the UK indie outfit, the search for the band’s new album involved a little bit of geolocating and detective work. As triple j reports, Foals promoted their new album with an international treasure hunt this week.

The band hid cassette copies of their new album inside envelopes and placed them in random locations around the world, including in Australia. They then shared the co-ordinates via social media along with a photo as a clue.

Copies of the What Went Down cassette turned up in places as far apart as Paris, Madrid, Berlin, Oslo, and even near Melbourne’s inner-north suburbs, where one was discovered by James Freeman, guitarist for local band I Know The Chief.

Speaking with triple j arvo hosts Veronica & Lewis yesterday, James said the tape had been stashed away in the Lulie Street Tavern on Johnston St, Collingwood, apparently the location of a private album listening party.

“It was kind of tough to hear [the album] at the party so I’m really stoked about it,” said James. “We’re just setting up at the moment to have a listen to it… and then retire it to the pool room.”

One lucky Belgian fan by the name of Elie said he was amazed he managed to find the tape in a city of over 8 million people. “A stressful time but I found it,” he told the J. Elie even picked up an extra gift when he found the envelope.

“In the envelope they had the cassette with the cassette player – the walkmen – already in it, with headphones,” he explained. “So I could literally just press play and start listening to it – it’s very, very good; an amazing album.”

[include_post id=”456523″]

Elie’s envelope also included a note from the band, which urged the finder not to upload the contents of the tape onto the web. Elie said he will respect the band’s wishes and has no plans to flip what is now a rare collectable on eBay for a quick payday, either.

“I will not sell it,” he insisted. “I will not put the music online either, I’ve had people message me asking me to put the album online, which is ridiculous and I’m a fan so I like having souvenirs and that’s a great souvenir!”

If you want to hear Foals’ latest effort for yourself, the album is available to purchase now. The band will be touching down in Australia later this year for appearances at Falls Festival and Southbound – more details here.

Get unlimited access to the coverage that shapes our culture.
to Rolling Stone magazine
to Rolling Stone magazine