Franz Ferdinand live it up on big, bawdy "Night Or Day"
Franz Ferdinand stood out from their indie sleaze counterparts for embracing a uniquely high-brow persona that coupled rakish art-school magnetism with a breadth of influences that ranged from future collaborators and underground cultural disruptors Sparks to the brutal elegance of 1940s crime scene photographer Weegee. Five albums into their heady catalog, Franz Ferdinand is still haunting the dark of the matinee and readying the imminent release of an all new full length LP, The Human Fear.
The band’s latest single, “Night Or Day,” immediately feels like a return to the high contrast drama of their earliest releases. Dominated by big, bawdy piano lines that create an off-kilter vaudeville aesthetic, Franz Ferdinand sways and reels with the manic euphoria of a local pub crowd collectively reaching the brilliant apex of communal intoxication. Percussive stomp keeps the entire proceedings rattling forward and strategically positioned synth adds a glitzy sheen to the rough and tumble atmosphere. Frontman Alex Kapranos is in fine form, orchestrating the sonic debauchery with his characteristically smooth vocal chops that towards the end of the track begin to develop a surprisingly raspy edge, like the hoarseness that emerges over brunch following a raucous evening of carousing with mates.
Stylishly directed with by Rianne White, “Night Or Day” is rendered in stark black and white with a layered visual approach that feels like a big screen Baz Lurhman musical number from the 00s. Franz Ferdinand populates an overgrown country house, performing amongst the crowding vegetation as a visual representation of the organic longevity of a perfect partnership, perpetually growing and twisting among the beams and rafters to become one with the structure, each lending strength to the other to endure the challenges of life - living it up together, night or day.
The Human Fear releases January 10 via Domino. Stream “Night Or Day” on Spotify and follow Franz Ferdinand on Instagram.
Upcoming Shows
February 14, 2025 – Aula Magna – LISBON (SOLD OUT)
February 15, 2025 – Sala Pelican – A CORUNA (SOLD OUT)
February 17, 2025 – La Riviera – MADRID (SOLD OUT)
February 18, 2025 – Razzmatazz – BARCELONA (SOLD OUT)
February 20, 2025 – Fabrique – MILAN (SOLD OUT)
February 21, 2025 – X-Tra – ZURICH
February 22, 2025 – Muffathalle – MUNICH (SOLD OUT)
February 24, 2025 – Huxleys Neue Welt – BERLIN (SOLD OUT)
February 25, 2025 – Progresja – WARSAW
February 27, 2025 – La Cigale – PARIS (SOLD OUT)
February 28, 2025 – Die Kantine – COLOGNE (SOLD OUT)
March 1, 2025 – De Roma – ANTWERP (SOLD OUT)
March 3, 2025 – Paradiso – AMSTERDAM (SOLD OUT)
March 5, 2025 – Shepherds Bush Empire – LONDON
March 7, 2025 – Barrowlands – GLASGOW (SOLD OUT)
March 24, 2025 – Showbox Sodo – SEATTLE, WA
March 25, 2025 – Commodore – VANCOUVER, BC (SOLD OUT)
March 28, 2025 – Warfield – SAN FRANCISCO, CA
March 31, 2025 – Complex - The Grand – SALT LAKE CITY, UT
April 3, 2025 – Midland – KANSAS CITY, MO
April 4, 2025 – The Fillmore – MINNEAPOLIS, MN
April 7, 2025 – Anthem – WASHINGTON, D.C.
April 8, 2025 – The Fillmore – PHILADELPHIA, PA
April 10, 2025 – Brooklyn Paramount – BROOKLYN, NY
April 12, 2025 – Orpheum – BOSTON, MA
April 14, 2025 – M Telus – MONTREAL, QB
April 15, 2025 – History – TORONTO, ON