Franz Ferdinand are a Scottish rock n roll band formed in Glasgow in 2002. Their current line-up revolves extensively around founding members Alex Kapranos (lead vocals, lead guitar and primary songwriter) and Bob Hardy (bass guitar and percussion).
In explaining on how they settled on their band name, Kapranos said:
“Archduke Franz Ferdinand was an incredible figure. His life, or at least the ending of it, was the catalyst for the complete transformation of the world and that is what we want our music to be. But I don’t want to over intellectualise the name thing. Basically a name should just sound good, like music.”
The band have been traditionally categorized as a post punk revival band and have garnered multiple UK top 20 hits since their self titled debut album in 2004.
They have been nominated for several Grammy Awards and have received two Brit Awards including Best British Group and an NME Award.
The band’s sixth studio album, The Human Fear, was released seven years after their fifth, on January 10, 2025 through independent label Domino Records. It’s the band’s first album with drummer Audrey Tait, who replaced original member Paul Thomson in 2021 and first to feature guitarist Dino Bardot who replaced founding member rhythm guitarist Nick McCarthy who left the band in 2016 to spend more time with his family and to pursue other music interests.
Recorded at AYR Studios in Scotland, the album’s title refers to the primary lyrical concept of fear and “searching for the thrill of being human via fears”, as described by Kapranos.
The album touches on what Kapranos describes as certain types of specific fear, including fearing the repercussions of today’s widespread Cancel Culture.
“Fear of social isolation, fear of leaving an institution, fear of leaving or staying in a relationship” – Alex Kapranos
The album is currently #1 in their native Scotland as well as #1 in the UK Indie chart.
The Human Fear” by Franz Ferdinand
Rock N Roll Fashionistas Album Of The Week for the week of January 26th, 2025