Franz Ferdinand: The Human Fear Review – Stiffness Settles In on Stodgy Sixth Album

Franz Ferdinand: The Human Fear Review – Stiffness Settles In on Stodgy Sixth Album

Franz Ferdinand’s evolution over two decades is unmistakable, and with their sixth album, The Human Fear, they reveal a more measured, middle-aged approach that contrasts sharply with their youthful, dynamic debut. Once the darlings of indie rock in the 2000s, known for their sharp riffs, aloof attitude, and cool, arty vibe, the band now seems to have traded in their edge for something more restrained—and at times, flat.

The album opens with “Audacious,” where Alex Kapranos’ voice drones about the disintegration of reality over a grainy riff. Yet, the song quickly loses steam, morphing into a slow, sweeping chorus that wouldn’t be out of place on a Take That album. Other tracks, such as “Bar Lonely” and “Tell Me I Should Stay,” lean into 70s glam influences, but they ultimately feel unremarkable, lacking the energy and urgency that once defined the band.

The track “The Doctor” – which tells the story of a man unwilling to leave his hospital bed – exemplifies the album’s more lethargic tone, as the protagonist contemplates the mundanity of life from his sterile surroundings. Even the band’s attempt to experiment with electronic sounds on “Hooked,” featuring novelty EDM-style synths, feels disconnected from the band’s former cool, leaving listeners wondering where the fire has gone.

Two decades after their breakthrough, The Human Fear finds Franz Ferdinand firmly in the realm of the comfortable, with stiffness and predictability taking over. Their cool factor is lost, and while the album is polished, it struggles to reignite the spark that once made them indie icons.