Franz Ferdinand transform their view on life in ‘The Human Fear’
Franz Ferdinand has their roots in the depths of the garage-rock revival of the early 2000s, placing them alongside bands such as The Strokes, Interpol, and many, many more. The Human Fear is a rebirth of sorts. It has been eight years since 2018’s Always Ascending, and the world was ready for something fresh from Franz Ferdinand. This album brings an interesting perspective on being alive in a world where everyone simultaneously has so many emotions and experiences in common, and also so few.
“Audacious” stands as not only the first single released, but the first song on the album. It immediately pulls you back into their world of distorted riffs and catchy melodies while clinging to the blueprint that they’re so well known for. The Human Fear, only one song in, seems to establish its core values early. The world is full of missed opportunities and hopelessness, and really, that is the ultimate dear. “Everydaydreamer” reminds us that many of our dreams take over us, both physically and mentally. “Every dream goes,” Alex Kopranos sings. They slowly fade out, no matter how solid they once seemed.
The message of this album is very well hidden between upbeat choruses and addictive electronic interludes. In an almost campfire-song melody, “The Doctor” makes you want to dance along, steering you away from fully absorbing its lyrical content. Sort of like a persuasive patient, you might say. “I said to the doctor / I don't want to go home / I think you ought to / Leave this drip alone.”
Photo via Franz Ferdinand on Instagram
Being human is a very unique experience, and yet there are so many emotions and experiences we share with each other. In a way, we’re all united in the things we hate most about life, one of those being fear, as the band has named their album about, and one that is a universal sensation. “Night or Day” explores one of the few things that makes life bearable, at least in my opinion, which is companionship. “Life is never going to be easy / But if you're living it with me / We're gonna live it up night or day.”
The Human Fear is a new direction for Franz Ferdinand, but one that manages to stick to the recipes they’ve mastered while incorporating a new perspective. I would venture to say that sonically, it’s very similar to their other music, but lyrically is where the evolution is seen. As we get older, things change and we discover new things about life, and that seems to be the case for the band. It explores the endless ways that life can be complex and, as stated, something to fear.
