Thrill of being human

SCOTTISH rock band Franz Ferdinand are releasing their sixth studio album The Human Fear tomorrow.

The album marks the artists’ return to the scene since 2018, and is set to sonically represent the group in an authentic way as they stick to their signature sound while also experimenting with new elements.

In an interview, Frontman Alex Kapranos said, “I don’t think there’s a single song that you’ll hear on the album and won’t think, ‘Oh, is that Franz Ferdinand?’ At the same time, there will be thinking, ‘Oh, did they really do that?’ That’s not to say I start rapping or anything like that.”

The 11-track album will tackle the subject of fear, a theme that found its way naturally throughout the creative process.

“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,” Alex added.

“The song Hooked (off the upcoming album) starts with the line ‘I got a fear, got the human fear’ and those were the last lyrics written for the album.

“When we finished recording and took a step back, we realised that was the theme. All the songs on the album are about fear in one way or another,” he revealed.

Formed in 2002, the Grammy-nominated band’s original lineup was composed of Alex (lead vocals, lead guitar, keyboards), Nick McCarthy (rhythm guitar, keyboards, vocals), Bob Hardy (bass guitar, percussion) and Paul Thomson (drums, percussion, backing vocals).

In 2017, Julian Corrie (keyboards, lead guitar, backing vocals) and Dino Bardot (rhythm guitar, backing vocals) joined the band after Nick left in the previous year to concentrate on his family and personal musical projects, and Audrey Tait (drums, percussion) joined after Paul left in 2021.

The Human Fear marks the ensemble’s first studio album recorded with drummer Audrey.