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Sep 11, 2024 By Andy Von Pip

Franz Ferdinand have officially announced their latest studio album, The Human Fear, and shared its first single, “Audacious.” The album is set to be released on Friday, January 10, 2025, via Domino Records.

“Audacious” is accompanied by a striking video produced by Mark Ralph, who also worked with the band on their 2013 album Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action. Recorded at AYR Studios in Scotland, The Human Fear consists of 11 tracks, each reflecting on deep-rooted human fears and the power of overcoming them. The album dives into the complexities of how fear shapes and drives our lives.

In describing the making of the album, frontman Alex Kapranos shared:

“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. Not that you’d necessarily notice on first listen.”

“Audacious” was brought to life by long-time Franz collaborator Andy Knowles, who directed the video at Barrowland in Glasgow, a venue deeply significant to the band. Speaking about the track, Kapranos explained:

“It’s about having an audacious response when you feel the fabric of existence come undone around you. Being bold, contrary. Peering over the edge into the eternity of non-existence and saying Aye! Fuck it! Not today thank you!”

The Human Fear Tracklist:

1. Audacious
2. Everyday Dreamer
3. The Doctor
4. Hooked
5. Build It Up
6. Night Or Day
7. Tell Me I Should Stay
8. Cats
9. Black Eyelashes
10. Bar Lonely
11. The Birds

Franz Ferdinand Tour Dates:

The band have also announced details of a short run of U.K / EU headline shows in the early part of 2025, before which they head to South America for a headline arena tour and a number of Mexican dates alongside The Killers. The full list of shows is as follows:

26.9.24 - Spa Pavilion – STRATHPEFFER – SOLD OUT
27.9.24 - Albert Halls – STIRLING – SOLD OUT
28.9.24 - The Venue – DUMFRIES – SOLD OUT
03.10.24 – Estadio 3 de Marzo – GUADALAJARA *
05.10.24 – Foro Sol – MEXICO CITY *
06.10.24 – For Sol – MEXICO CITY *
09.10.24 – Estadio Banorte – MONTERREY *
12.10.24 – Festival Pulso – QUERTARO, MEXICO
07.11.24 – Explanada del Parque de la Exposicion - LIMA
09.11.24 – Fauna Primavera – SANTIAGO
12.11.24 – Estadio Obras – BUENOS AIRES
14.11.24 – Tokio Marine Hall – SÃO PAULO
16.11.24 – Gran Carpa – BOGOTA
17.11.24 – Orquideorama - MEDELLIN
14.02.25 – Aula Magna – LISBON
15.02.25 – Sala Pelicano – A CORUNA
17.02.25 – La Riviera – MADRID
18.02.25 – Razzmatazz – BARCELONA
20.02.25 – Fabrique – MILAN
21.02.25 – X-Tra – ZURICH
22.02.25 – Muffathalle – MUNICH
24.02.25 – Huxleys Neue Welt – BERLIN
25.02.25 – Progresja – WARSAW
27.02.25 – La Cigale – PARIS
28.02.25 – Die Kantine – COLOGNE
01.03.25 – De Roma – ANTWERP
03.03.25 – Paradiso – AMSTERDAM
05.03.25 – O2 Shepherds Bush Empire – LONDON
07.03.25 – Barrowland – GLASGOW

*with The Killers

You can read an interview with Alex Kapranos in our latest print edition ( Issue 73) where we examine the history of the British label Domino. Details here.

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