S Poddar
Franz Ferdinand makes a strong comeback with their bold new single ‘Audacious’ and announces details about their highly-anticipated sixth album, The Human Fear. But that is not all; this news was accompanied by the announcement of tour dates across the UK and Europe, promising a return to stage action with the energy and vibrance of their fans.
Due January 10, 2025, it will be their first full-length studio album since 2018’s Always Ascending, an album hailed for its dance-driven beats and adventurous sound. The new record, produced by Mark Ralph, also the brains behind their 2013 hit Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action, is already shaping up to be a very special chapter in the band’s legacy. Lead single ‘Audacious’ gives a tantalizing glimpse of this evolution with its fusion of glam-rock and life-affirming themes. According to the words of frontman Alex Kapranos, it is a herald of the audacious spirit defining this record.
“In some ways it’s more audacious musically than some of the things we might have done in the past,” Kapranos said in a recent interview. “The verses are very dry and kind of lo-fi, then it hits with the chorus. The song is a contrast between the two: the verses are quite introspective and stark where the choruses are an overtly audacious response to that—both musically and lyrically.”
The chorus, which confidently declares, “Don’t stop feeling audacious—there’s no one to save us, so just carry on,” has already resonated with fans and critics alike and hinted at a manifesto for the band in 2024. That is the philosophy of embracing one’s identity and artistic vision with unfiltered confidence, something Kapranos and the rest of the band seem fully committed to in this era.
“I think that’s a pretty good attitude to have!” Kapranos agreed when asked if this could be seen as the band’s rallying cry. “If you are going to make music, then there’s no point in shying away from your identity or being embarrassed by who you are. You need to embrace it with all the audacity you can possibly have.”
Looking back on the evolution of the band, Kapranos says he can see that to him at least, Franz Ferdinand have become the best version of itself with time. “That’s probably mijn attitude,” he adds. “That’s how I feel about my favourite bands when they’re at their absolute best, their most extremely ‘them’. That’s how I feel at the moment.”. I feel really good about being in Franz Ferdinand and really good about putting music into the world. I love being in this band.”
But The Human Fear is not just the next stage of their musical career; it’s an affirmation of self-assurance. That Franz Ferdinand know who they are is obvious, and that can be heard in the raw energy of the new music. The single ‘Audacious’ shows that spirit-more fearless than ever before-and one much happier about pushing the envelope while not losing the roots.
He also reflected on the state of pop music at the moment during the interview; Kapranos revealed to Kapranos how the genre oft loses its edge. “Pop music, to me, is becoming stale,” he said. “There’s a lack of depth and rawness in a lot of it. But when I look at bands like English Teacher, Sprints, and Fontaines D.C., I see a genuine desire for something real, something that only a band can provide.”.
For Kapranos, however, there’s something very different about authenticity, depth emanating from a group of musicians playing together-something resonating both for the band and its fans. It’s this rawness and emotional honesty that seems to be at the core of The Human Fear. Working with the likes of producer Mark Ralph-who helped sculpt some of their past successes-Franz Ferdinand hopes to explore these ideas while keeping its sound fresh and audacious.
The band is preparing the release of The Human Fear, along with their tour dates, and both old-time and new listeners are getting themselves worked up. That earlier discography of theirs churned out infectious rhythms, bold lyricism, and invented style; for this latest project, all that can be expected, along with much more, as their sound moves to a new dimension without forgetting its core-the essence to which Franz Ferdinand owes their household name.
With their return, Franz Ferdinand is reminding us not just of their presence but also making a statement on the power of authenticity in music. As Kapranos so aptly put it, “There’s no point in being embarrassed by who you are.” The audacity of the band is not just in the music itself but in its attitude toward creativity and self-expression, a message as relevant today as it has ever been.
Be it that you’ve been a long-standing fan or one to whom Franz Ferdinand introduced themselves quite recently-the new music holds something special: the gall to be bold and real, unapologetically themselves. Watch out for The Human Fear and prepare for the band at their finest: fearless, impassioned, and audacious as ever.
