It’s surprising to learn elsewhere in this issue that Franz Ferdinand needed the tour for their 2022 compilation Hits To The Head to be reminded that the common denominator in their singles is that they’re fun.
There haven’t been enough Franz albums: this is only their sixth in 21 years. But, 2009’s cautious Tonight apart, they have always sounded like they were built for fun. So it proves here. Opener and first single Audacious sets the tone, the most obvious nod to their work with Sparks in its heightened drama. It’s followed by Everydaydreamer, which is as close as the album will come to a ballad, despite being driven by Audrey Tait’s militaristic drumming.
© Oliver Matich