Produced with Mark Ralph, who previously worked with them on their 2013 album “Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action”, the album showcases Franz at their most immediate, upbeat and life-affirming, unashamedly going for the pop-jugular in classic Franz style.
The Scottish alt-rockers are returning with a new album, “The Human Fear”, and lead single “Audacious” is a triumphant call-to-action for both the listener and the band itself. It’s noisy and guitar-driven with a slight twee angle, calling back to the more theatrical and bold acts (think The Hives) of the 2000s indie era that Franz first found a home in. There’s a montage of sounds that play out in the track’s several arcs—from surfy and jangle guitar moments to a surprising piano ballad—and new drummer Audrey Tait brings a quick, peppy tempo to the song’s fast-paced stylistic shifts. “Audacious” is unflinching and brave—“There’s no one to save us, so just carry on,” singer Alex Kapranos declares, as the band steps into a new era filled with adrenaline and bravado.
Recorded at AYR studios in Scotland, the 11-songs on “The Human Fear” all allude to some deep-set human fears and how overcoming and accepting these fears drives and defines our lives.
releases January 10th, 2025
2025, Domino Recording Co Ltd
The Fat Angel Sings 