Franz Ferdinand announce new album ‘The Human Fear’

Posted On September 11, 2024September 11, 2024

Franz Ferdinand have officially announced their upcoming sixth album, titled The Human Fear, which will mark the follow-up to 2018’s Always Ascending. The announcement is also accompanied by a music video for their new single, ‘Audacious’, directed by longtime collaborator Andy Knowles and filmed in Glasgow.

The Human Fear, set for release in early 2025, was produced by Mark Ralph, who previously worked with the band on their 2013 record Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action. In terms of sound, press materials state the new album matches the typical upbeat, pop-leaning style of the band’s previous efforts while addressing universal themes of overcoming fear to enjoy life at its fullest.

Recorded at AYR studios in Scotland, The Human Fear promises to tackle a myriad of deep-rooted human fears and provide a glimpse into surpassing these anxieties and reaching the ultimate state of existential happiness and enjoyment. While creating the record, Alex Kapranos realised it was his most “life-affirming” work yet, mainly because it allowed him to explore how fear can be a conduit to some of life’s more exciting emotions.

He explained, “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.” The frontman continued, “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 new single, ‘Audacious,’ also brings Franz Ferdinand home to the famous Barrowlands in Glasgow, which represents a rich historical appreciation for the band, who have enjoyed many celebrations and homecoming receptions in the iconic venue.

On the video itself, Knowles explained that ‘Audacious’ immediately gave him the sense that it needed some sort of visual celebration akin to 2022’s ‘Curious’ while “contrasting some of the more sombre moments of life with an explosion of fun when you look at things through an ‘audacious’ lens.”

Discussing the song, Kapranos said it’s about being fearless when “you feel the fabric of existence come undone around you” and deciding to look into the face of “the eternity of non-existence” and say “Aye! Fuck it! Not today, thank you!”

In addition to the album and single, the band also released a short run of UK, European, and US tour dates, which begins in Strathpeffer through Mexico City, Milan, Paris, and Amsterdam before wrapping up in Glasgow. The South America run is for a headline arena tour alongside The Killers. Tickets go on sale on September 20th via the band’s website.

The Human Fear is set for release on January 10th, 2025 via Domino.

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