Don’t Sleep On Jon Casey at PHXLIGHTS
March 28, 2025
March 28, 2025
It’s All About the Wubs with Daily Bread
Scottish Alternative/Indie rock band Franz Ferdinand broke early 2000’s radio with their 2004 MEGAHIT “Take Me Out.” The certified slow burn classic features addictive guitar riffs and a memorable hook, with an iconic music video to match. Chances are very likely that you have heard this song. It has been a mainstay on the radio throughout the evolution of how we listen to music, crawling up the charts again and again when new streaming platforms and apps were introduced. A true Alternative Rock anthem. “Take Me Out” came out when I was nine years old and largely formed my music taste moving forward.
An unexpected YouTube recommendation lead to the discovery that Franz Ferdinand is still around. In addition, they dropped a new album in January entitled The Human Fear. To add to the good news, a lot of the songs on this album feature an electronic music influence. The Human Fear features “Hooked” a Dance/Indie Rock hybrid track with some serious sway and attitude. “Hooked” charges out of the gate with a thick, club beat and perfectly timed kicks. The heavy electronic beat transforms into synthesized guitar riffs, chunky basslines and hints of cowbell.
“Everybody here got the human fear, so that’s alright with me.”
The bass takes center stage during the pre-chorus as the song continues to ramp up. A rapid barrage of drums leads into the song’s first chorus.
“Amour! Amour! Amour! I thought I knew what love was. And then I met you…. You got me HOOKED!”
The alt-rock basslines switch back to the original dance beat, joined by claps and Alex Kapranos’ hypnotic vocals. “UH-HUH, you got me HOOKED!” The multi-layered beat sways back into rock territory for the second verse.
“I got obsession. Got a new obsession. Tattoo two initials where everybody see them. Everybody here love GG!!”
This verse shows the dedication and admiration that the narrator has for their love interest. Expressing this admiration with a desire to show them off to the world and get their initials tattooed. The short second verse is followed by another bass-heavy pre-chorus. This time, the drum barrage leads to a muted dance beat with some serious guitar riff undertones. Gradually building on itself and sweeping into a crescendo. The addictive beat returns once more, complete with fuzzy instrumentals and background vocals.
“HOOKED” then takes an unexpected turn. The beat again shifts from electronic to rock, closing things out with a drum and bass focused bridge.
The discovery that Franz Ferdinand is still around and thriving is a 2025 highlight for sure. They sound as fresh as ever, while still greatly evolving their sound. It has also inspired me to look further into their back catalogue to see what else I am missing. “Hooked” is an incredible bop that meshes together Indie Rock guitar and bass riffs with a hype club beat. The electronic introduction of “Hooked” brings the listener in with a sense of wonder and curiosity. While the rock elements balance out the heavy dance beat with effective transitions.
This discovery is even more impactful because I did not look into Franz Ferdinand outside of “Take Me Out” until hearing “Hooked” earlier this month. This 20-year gap made the stylistic differences between the two tracks stand out that much more. The Human Fear is an incredible album that adds several more hits to the discography of Franz Ferdinand. Honorable mentions include “Audacious,” “Night Or Day,” and “Cats.” Listen to the album ASAP to hear what this incredible Scottish band has been up to lately.
Connect With Franz Ferdinand: Facebook | Instagram | X | Spotify | SoundCloud
