Franz Ferdinand have announced their sixth album, The Human Fear, which will be out January 10 via Domino. They made it with producer Mark Ralph, who also worked on 2013’s Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action.
“Making this record was one of the most life-affirming experiences I’ve had, but it’s called The Human Fear,” says frontman Alex Kapranos. “Fear reminds you that you’re alive. I think we all are addicted in some way to the buzz it can give us. How we respond to it shows how we are human. So here’s a bunch of songs searching for the thrill of being human via fears. Not that you’d necessarily notice on first listen.”
The first single from the album is “Audacious,” which is one of the most immediately likable songs Franz Ferdinand have released in years. It’s also a little unusual for them, jangly and understated, with a bit of Bowie grandeur in there too. “It’s about having an audacious response when you feel the fabric of existence come undone around you,” Kapranos says. “Being bold, contrary. Peering over the edge into the eternity of non-existence and saying Aye! Fuck it! Not today thank you!”
You can watch the video, directed by Andy Knowles, below.
The Human Fear
1. Audacious
2. Everyday Dreamer
3. The Doctor
4. Hooked
5. Build It Up
6. Night Or Day
7. Tell Me I Should Stay
8. Cats
9. Black Eyelashes
10. Bar Lonely
11. The Birds
Franz Ferdinand – 2024/2025 Tour Dates
September 26, 2024 – Spa Pavilion – STRATHPEFFER
September 27, 2024 – Albert Halls – STIRLING
September 28, 2024 – The Venue – DUMFRIES
October 3, 2024– Estadio 3 de Marzo – GUADALAJARA *
October 5, 2024 – Foro Sol – MEXICO CITY *
October 6, 2024 – For Sol – MEXICO CITY *
October 9, 2024– Estadio Banorte – MONTERREY *
October 12, 2024 – Festival Pulso – QUERTARO, MEXICO
November 7, 2024 – Explanada del Parque de la Exposicion – LIMA
November 9, 2024 – Fauna Primavera – SANTIAGO
November 12, 2024 – Estadio Obras – BUENOS AIRES
November 14, 2024 – Tokio Marine Hall – SÃO PAULO
November 16, 2024 – Gran Carpal – BOGOTA
November 17, 2024 – Orquideorama – MEDELLIN
February 14, 2025 – Aula Magna – LISBON
February 15, 2025 – Sala Pelican – A CORUNA
February 17, 2025 – La Riviera – MADRID
February 18, 2025 – Razzmatazz – BARCELONA
February 20, 2025 – Fabrique – MILAN
February 21, 2025 – X-Tra – ZURICH
February 22, 2025 – Muffathalle – MUNICH
February 24, 2025 – Huxleys Neue Welt – BERLIN
February 25, 2025 – Progresja – WARSAW
February 27, 2025 – La Cigale – PARIS
February 28, 2025 – Die Kantine – COLOGNE
March 1, 2025 – De Roma – ANTWERP
March 3, 2025 – Paradiso – AMSTERDAM
March 5, 2025 – Shepherds Bush Empire – LONDON
March 7, 2025 – Barrowlands – GLASGOW
*with The Killers