The Human Fear

Description

Franz Ferdinand announce the release of their new studio album The Human Fear, due out on Domino. Produced by Mark Ralph, who had previously worked with the band on the album Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action (2013), this new album finds Franz Ferdinand at their peak, combining energy, power and euphoria while fully embracing their pop side without ever giving up their signature style. Recorded at AYR Studios in Scotland, the 11 tracks on The Human Fear each explore our deepest fears and how facing them can help shape and define our lives. About the album, Franz Ferdinand’s Alex Kapranos says: “Making this album was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life, but it’s called The Human Fear. Fear reminds you that you’re alive. I think we’re all addicted, in one way or another, to the adrenaline it can give us. The way we face it reflects our humanity. So here is a series of songs in search of that thrill that human beings can feel through their fears. But that may not be obvious on first listen.” Since their beginnings, when they were throwing clandestine parties in abandoned buildings in Glasgow, Franz Ferdinand have always stood out for an innovative, bold and forward-looking approach, tinged with a transgressive art-school sensibility, but with a passion for great songs. The Human Fear stays true to that tradition: both unique and innovative, this album continues to push boundaries, both musically and creatively. This album is the first to feature Audrey Tait and Dino Bardot, and also marks Julian Corrie’s active involvement in songwriting alongside Alex Kapranos and Bob Hardy. The band places as much importance on aesthetics as on sound, as once again shown by the album cover, inspired by the self-portrait 7 Twists by Hungarian artist Dóra Maurer. This work appealed to them because it reflects what they seek in their music: striking immediacy, combined with a depth and vulnerability that reveal themselves anew with every listen. This album may be about the theme of fear, or perhaps it is simply a new collection of punchy tracks from a band that continues to define its era. Is there really anything to be afraid of?