Franz Ferdinand Shares First Single From Upcoming Album ‘The Human Fear’
This will be the UK indie act’s first album in seven years.
Image by Fiona Torre
UK indie stalwarts Franz Ferdinand return in 2025 with their first album in seven years, The Human Fear. Arriving January 10 via Domino (pre-order/pre-save here), the record was produced by Mark Ralph, who was also behind boards for Franz Ferdinand’s 2013 album, Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action.
Along with announcing the 11-track LP, Franz Ferdinand have shared the album’s first single, ‘Audacious’. Accompanied by a music video directed by Andy Knowles, the tune is pretty much what you’d expect from the band, with a touch of the Beatles running through this one.
In a press release, frontman Alex Kapranos had this to say about the tune, “It’s about having an audacious response when you feel the fabric of existence come undone around you. Being bold, contrary. Peering over the edge into the eternity of non-existence and saying Aye! Fuck it! Not today thank you!”
Of the album, he adds, “Making this record was one of the most life-affirming experiences I’ve had, but it’s called The Human Fear. 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 release of The Human Fear follows Franz Ferdinand’s 2022 compilation Hits To The Head, with their last studio album being 2018s Always Ascending. The new album will also be the first to feature guitarist Dino Bardot and drummer Audrey Tait, who replaced Nick McCarthy and Paul Thompson respectively.
Franz Ferdinand also revealed UK and European tour dates for early 2025, with the band performing in Mexico and South America this October and November.
The Human Fear is available for pre-order/pre-save here). Check out the album artwork and tracklisting below.
The Human Fear:
1. Audacious
2. Everydaydreamer
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
