Formed in 2002, Scotland’s Franz Ferdinand is a rock band with a unique sound. A broad statement: they are most often associated with the Garage Rock Revival that became popular during the late ’90s into the early 2000s with other bands like the White Stripes, the Strokes, and the Hives. What does the genre title mean? In enough words, it is just a form of Rock-n-Roll music that harks back to the more raw sound of ’60s Rock bands like The Troggs, Paul Revere & the Raiders, and the Kinks, among others.
Providing this explanation because categorizing music is always so odd, Franz Ferdinand blazed their own trail with the successful 2004 self-titled debut album, which featured such UK top ten singles “Take Me Out” and “The Dark of the Matinée.” A great start, their international reach only expanded with 2005’s You Could Have It So Much Better, which not only hit number one in Scotland but broke the Top ten album charts in various other countries, including the USA. They sustained success through the years with touring and four more full-lengths. Believe it or not, it has been seven long years since Franz Ferdinand released an album.
An extraordinary amount of time to not release an album, it has not been complete radio silence since 2018’s Always Ascending... because, in 2021, they put out “Billy Goodbye” (one of two new songs that were included on their 2022 compilation Hits to the Head). Then, in September of 2024, it was learned that Franz Ferdinand would finally put out a new album called The Human Fear at the start of 2025. An announcement excited fans; at the same time, they dropped the lead single, “Audacious,” and it immediately hit with a fun, irresistibly radio-friendly vibe. Now the question is – what will the rest of The Human Fear offer?
Set for release on January 10, 2025, through Domino, it will mark their sixth overall studio album, including the lineup of Alex Kapranos (vocals/guitar), Bob Hardy (bass), Dino Bardot (guitar, backing vocals), Julian Corrie (keyboards, guitar, backing vocals), and newest member, Audrey Tait (drums). Consisting of eleven songs, including “Audacious,” “Night or Day,” and the brand new single “Hooked,” the entire spread of The Human Fear is absolutely compelling
Extremely smooth and easygoing, these new songs from Franz Ferdinand are addictive, catchy, and something that will get you immediately humming along. Opening with “Audacious,” the single sets the right mood for what is yet to come. Then, with a thick bass line, “Everydaydreamer” keeps it going with other highlights, including the more Synthrock upbeat “The Doctor,” which comes in and lets you jump straight to the dance floor with the amazing rhythms.
Then there is the shiny new “Hooked,” which comes with an Electronic Disco sound that keeps you on your feet. However, sitting still from song one to song eleven on The Human Fear is extremely hard. Even if a song like “Build It Up” is a little more laid back, there is still an irresistible groove. Then, “Night Or Day” focuses on the piano, spreading a good mood, while the guitar-driven “Bar Lonely” and “The Birds” keep you mesmerized.
All of these songs are meant to get you moving. They are upbeat, well-composed, and the perfect return from Franz Ferdinand. Franz Ferdinand creates something that never bores, and there is always something new to explore and discover with The Human Fear.
Given all of this, those listening to Franz Ferdinand for the first time might find the arrangements a little edgy and odd. Although, that is exactly what makes them so joyous and extremely enjoyable. Feel-good through and through, Cryptic Rock gives The Human Fear 5 out of 5 stars.
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