For classic Franz Ferdinand fans, The Human Fear should satisfy the majority of them with its classic dance rock and Alex Kapranos' swagger and charm. With a few twists and turns to surprise some, it's a likeable and agreeable record that would fit comfortable with their previous releases. For those looking for more, it may find listeners a little disappointed.
All the way from Glasgow, dance and indie rockers Franz Ferdinand have been around for over twenty years at this point. For the most part, the group has stuck to their guns throughout their career aside from a lineup change or two. Twenty years ago, the group broke out of the indie rock and dance punk scene with their self-titled debut album. As timeless, explosive, and the instant classic as Franz Ferdinand was and still is, the band has kept up by contributing to their dancey, vibrantly glistening sound and working off of its foundations. You Could Have It So Much Better and Tonight: Franz Ferdinand both have had successful singles, scratching that itch fans have been wanting. 2013's Right Thoughts continues to be faithful to the group's sonic core and it's honestly quite overlooked when it comes to the album's singles ("Stand On the Horizon" will always be a personal favorite). They pivoted hard in 2015 by joining the legendary group Sparks to form a new band, FFS, and their collaborative album is arguably the best thing Franz Ferdinand have ever done and it still rules to this day. 2018 brought lineup changes, where founding member Nick McCarthy left with Dino Bardot and Julian Corrie both filling in McCarthy's shoes. They released Always Ascending, which I freaking loved at the time. It has a greater bombast and excitement that I didn't get from previous records.
We haven't really heard much from them since Always Ascending aside from deservedly releasing a greatest hits collection in 2021, titled Hits to the Head, with a couple of new tunes tacked on to it. That very same year we saw yet another lineup change with founding drummer Paul Thomson leaving and Audrey Tait filling in as the new drummer. Now we're finally in the current year that is 2025 and the band are back with a new album. (Thank you for reading my quick Franz Ferdinand history lesson, my tip jar could use some donations.) Titled The Human Fear, their first new album in seven years, Franz Ferdinand come back rocking and grooving with a few new tricks up their sleeve. Greatly appreciated are any new stylistic endeavors from this band despite their consistency. As good as Franz Ferdinand are at what they do, I think there's always room for the group trying something different, even if it's every now and then. Instrumentally, the band has the same expected dance rockers, some more airy and light while others are very heavy in the darkened clubs of early 2000's New York indie scene. There's also a lyrical concept focusing on certain fears of isolation, being stuck in a relationship, or leaving an institution.
All things point to a refreshingly new record from the band. In many ways, it is refreshing to hear like on the lead single, "Audacious". A solid pop song on its own, "Audacious" has the swagger and energy of a classic Ferdinand tune with the sophisticated gloss and shimmer of a classic 60's/70's guitar pop tune. Listening to the opening guitar chords, one could've easily mistaken it for a long lost recording from 2004. "Everydaydreamer" has nicely added backing vocals from French singer Clara Luciani, vintage synths, and a dreamy quality to the light, psychedelic instrumental. "The Doctor" is a fast paced, punky synth pop that's ripped directly from the 80's and yet it is predictably expected in the band's catalog. "Hooked" has the same dark, moody, slick synths, bass and grooves from the 2000's NY indie scene that helped popularize the band. It fits snugly in their past albums (think some of the initial remixes of tracks from Franz Ferdinand) or even on LCD Soundsystem's debut album. It sounds like if Franz Ferdinand were trying to cover Justin Timberlake's "Sexyback" in LCD Soundsystem cosplay. Now, since it's 2025, I'm obliged to say that not everything that came from that era has aged super well and this song definitely pulls from it to a nearly nauseating degree. It would've sounded fine as a remix in 2005, but in 2025 it just doesn't work for me. I just don't like this at all, sorry! On the flipside, "Build It Up" is a much more listenable, safe rocker. Its vocal delivery is perfect for classic Franz Ferdinand fans.
"Night or Day" is a piano led disco tune with chirpy synths and a power pop lead vocal that's solid. "Tell Me I Should Stay" is a dramatic left turn that's an ambient piano instrumental with a sunny pop influenced Alex Kapranos on vocals. Sorry this is the first time I've mentioned Kapranos. He has one of the best fronting voices in early 2000's indie rock. It's a given if you're a fan but if you're not, listen to his voice why don't you and take in his swagger and sexy coolness he evokes in his vocal delivery. "Cats" is a fun Western influenced rock tune that has the listener envisioning the band in cowboy outfits. I'm sure Kapranos can rock a cowboy hat any day of the week. "Black Eyelashes" has a surprising Greek influence in the grooves, guitars, and pacing. It's a solid highlight and I appreciate the band trying out different genres. There's not much to say about "Bar Lonely". There's "ba" "ba" "ba's" and handclaps, as well as a catchy guitar hook. It's fine. "The Birds" closes the album with more intense guitar licks that sound solid but the song itself doesn't go to far from where it started.
For classic Franz Ferdinand fans, The Human Fear should satisfy the majority of them with its classic dance rock and Alex Kapranos' swagger and charm. With a few twists and turns to surprise some, it's a likeable and agreeable record that would fit comfortable with their previous releases. It's produced well, performed well and has the all the essence of a Franz Ferdinand album. For those looking for a bit more out of the band, The Human Fear may be a little disappointing. I am one of those listeners, frankly. I want a little bit more stylistic shifts and differing production choices than what is brought together on this one. The band sound as consistent as they've always been, but it's safe to say that The Human Fear is a safe, agreeable record that lacks the punch, variation or vibrancy that I typically expect from them. I remember being blown back with excitement and joy from later releases like Always Ascending and FFS. I can't say the same about The Human Fear. There are instances of that, like "Audacious" for example, but overall I expected a bit more from the veteran indie group that produced enough great music to release a sprawling greatest hits collection nearly twenty years after they initially formed.
My Rating: 6 / 10
Favorite Songs: "Audacious", "Everydaydreamer", "Cats", "Black Eyelashes", "Tell Me I Should Stay"
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