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10 Best Songs of the Week: Palehound, Pip Blom, Margaret Glaspy, Blonde Redhead, and More

Plus The Clientele, Protomartyr, Oceanator, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks

Jun 02, 2023

Welcome to the 20th Songs of the Week of 2023. It was a mixed collection of new songs this week, perhaps because Monday was a holiday, but there were some tracks we liked. More

Jun 02, 2023

Amsterdam trio, Pip Blom have announced the release of their third studio album, Bobbie, alongside a new single via music video titled “Is This Love” (which features Franz Ferdinand’s Alex Kapranos on both the song and in the video). More

Jan 31, 2023

Pixies have announced some new U.S. tour dates, with Franz Ferdinand and Bully to be the support acts. More

Sep 01, 2022

Last night, Scotland indie rock royalty Franz Ferdinand were the musical guest on The Late Late Show with James Corden, where they performed “Curious.” The song is one of the bonus tracks on their greatest hits album, Hits to the Head, which came out in March via Domino. More

Franz Ferdinand Share Video for New Song “Curious”

Hits to the Head Due Out March 11 via Domino

Jan 25, 2022

Franz Ferdinand have shared a video for their new song “Curious.” It is the second new song release from their forthcoming greatest hits album, Hits to the Head, which will be out on March 11 via Domino. More

Los Bitchos Share Video for New Single “Good To Go!”

Let the Festivities Begin! Due Out February 4, 2022 via City Slang

Nov 22, 2021

London-based four piece Los Bitchos have shared a video for their new single “Good To Go!” The Tom Mitchell-directed video stars the band in addition to Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand. It is the latest release from their forthcoming debut album Let the Festivities Begin!, which will be out on February 4, 2022 via City Slang. More

Nov 02, 2021

Franz Ferdinand have announced the release of a greatest hits album, Hits to the Head, which will be out on March 11, 2022 via Domino. The band has also shared a video for a new song to be featured on the album, “Billy Goodbye.” It was directed by Diane Martel, Ben Cole, and frontman Alex Kapranos. More

Jul 28, 2020

Franz Ferdinand’s Alex Kapranos and French chanteuse Clara Luciani have released a cover of Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazelwood’s “Summer Wine.” Mixed in both Kapranos’s studio in Scotland and the Motorbass Studio in Paris, the single features Kapranos and Luciani’s vocals alternating between French and English. It was shared via a video, which you can watch below. More

Aug 10, 2018

Scotland’s Franz Ferdinand released a new album, Always Ascending, back in February via their longtime label Domino. Last night the band stopped by Late Night with Seth Meyers to perform “Lazy Boy.” More

Watch Franz Ferdinand Perform “Glimpse of Love” and Four Other Songs on “Jimmy Kimmel”

Band Also Performed “Finally,” “Lois Lane,” “Paper Cages,” and “Darts of Pleasure”

May 23, 2018

Scotland’s Franz Ferdinand released a new album, Always Ascending, back in February via their longtime label Domino. Last night the band stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live! to perform “Glimpse of Love” on the their outdoor stage for the broadcast show. Then they did four web-exclusive songs: “Finally,” “Lois Lane,” “Paper Cages,” and early hit “Darts of Pleasure.” More

Apr 23, 2018

Scotland’s Franz Ferdinand released a new album, Always Ascending, back in February via their longtime label Domino. Now they have shared a video the album’s “Glimpse of Love.” Plus they appeared on the Canadian radio show The Strombo Show and covered Drake’s “Passionfruit” (from his 2017 playlist More Life). More

Apr 19, 2018

Scotland’s Franz Ferdinand released a new album, Always Ascending, back in February via their longtime label Domino. Last night they stopped by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to perform the album’s “Feel the Love Go.” They were joined by No Wave legend James Chance on saxophone. More

Apr 02, 2018

Scotland’s Franz Ferdinand released a new album, Always Ascending, back in February via their longtime label Domino. Now they have announced some more North American tour dates to go down this July and August. They include some shows in the South and the Northeast. More

Under the Radar Announces Spring 2018 Issue with Courtney Barnett on the Cover

Issue 63 Also Includes Interviews with MGMT, The Decemberists, Belle & Sebastian, The National, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Fleet Foxes, Parquet Courts, Noel Gallagher, Spoon, and More

Mar 28, 2018

Under the Radar is excited to announce the full details of our Spring 2018 Issue, which is out now digitally via Under the Radar’s app and the magazine apps Readly and Zinio. The print version has shipped out to subscribers and stores and will be on all newsstands soon. The issue features Courtney Barnett on the cover. More

Feb 09, 2018

Scotland’s Franz Ferdinand released a new album, Always Ascending, today via their longtime label Domino. Now you can stream the whole album below. More

Franz Ferdinand Cover Angel Olsen’s “Shut Up Kiss Me” for SiriusXM

Always Ascending Due Out February 9 via Domino

Feb 07, 2018

Scotland’s Franz Ferdinand are releasing a new album, Always Ascending, this Friday (February 9) via their longtime label Domino. Now they have done a session for SiriusXM where they have covered Angel Olsen‘s “Shut Up Kiss Me,” from her fantastic 2016 album, MY WOMAN. More

9 Best Songs of the Week: Jack White, Madeline Kenney, Field Music, Jay Som, and More

Plus Lord Huron, Kevin Morby and Waxahatchee, Franz Ferdinand, Loma, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks

Jan 26, 2018

After two weeks of a plethora of tracks vying to be one of our Songs of the Week, this week the pickings were slimmer. Thus this week we have only nine best songs, instead of 10. There were also a lot of covers this week. More

Franz Ferdinand Share New Song “Lazy Boy”

Always Ascending Due Out February 9 via Domino

Jan 24, 2018

Scotland’s Franz Ferdinand are releasing a new album, Always Ascending, on February 9 via their longtime label Domino. Previously they shared its fun and dance-y title track, “Always Ascending,” as well as a video for the song, plus the album’s second single, “Feel the Love Go.” More

Jan 19, 2018

Scotland’s Franz Ferdinand are releasing a new album, Always Ascending, on February 9 via their longtime label Domino. Previously they shared its fun and dance-y title track, “Always Ascending,” as well as a video for the song, plus the album’s second single, “Feel the Love Go.” More

Jan 09, 2018

Scotland’s Franz Ferdinand are releasing a new album, Always Ascending, on February 9 via their longtime label Domino. Previously they shared its fun and dance-y title track, “Always Ascending,” as well as a video for the song. Now they have shared another song from the album, “Feel the Love Go.” There are two ways to experience it: you can either watch the visualizer video for the song below or if you have Apple Music you can watch the full on video for the song exclusively over there. More

Watch: Franz Ferdinand - “Always Ascending” Video

Always Ascending Due Out February 9, 2018 via Domino

Dec 04, 2017

Scotland’s Franz Ferdinand are releasing a new album, Always Ascending, on February 9, 2018 via their longtime label Domino. Previously they shared its fun and dance-y title track, “Always Ascending.” Now the song has a video. The curiously named AB/CD/CD directed the video. More

Oct 25, 2017

Scotland’s Franz Ferdinand have announced a new album, Always Ascending, and have shared its fun and dance-y title track. Always Ascending is due out February 9, 2018 via their longtime label Domino. It’s the band’s first album since the departure of founding guitarist Nick McCarthy. More

Jun 08, 2017

The members of Midlake (Eric Pulido, McKenzie Smith, Joey McClellan, and Jesse Chandler) have a new supergroup named BNQT that features vocals by Pulido, but also notable singers from four other bands: Band of Horses’ Ben Bridwell, Franz Ferdinand‘s Alex Kapranos, Grandaddy‘s Jason Lytle, and Travis’ Fran Healy. More

Listen: BNQT (Midlake, Band of Horses, Grandaddy, Franz Ferdinand, Travis) - “Real Love”

Volume 1 Due Out April 28 via Dualtone/Entertainment One/Bella Union

Apr 13, 2017

The members of Midlake (Eric Pulido, McKenzie Smith, Joey McClellan, and Jesse Chandler) have a new supergroup named BNQT that features vocals by Pulido, but also notable singers from four other bands: Band of Horses’ Ben Bridwell, Franz Ferdinand‘s Alex Kapranos, Grandaddy‘s Jason Lytle, and Travis’ Fran Healy. BNQT’s debut album, Volume 1, is due out April 28 via Dualtone/Entertainment One/Bella Union. More

Listen: BNQT (Midlake, Band of Horses, Grandaddy, Franz Ferdinand, Travis) - “Unlikely Force”

Volume 1 Due Out April 28 via Dualtone/Entertainment One/Bella Union

Mar 24, 2017

The members of Midlake (Eric Pulido, McKenzie Smith, Joey McClellan, and Jesse Chandler) have a new supergroup named BNQT that features vocals by Pulido, but also notable singers from four other bands: Band of Horses’ Ben Bridwell, Franz Ferdinand‘s Alex Kapranos, Grandaddy‘s Jason Lytle, and Travis’ Fran Healy. More

Franz Ferdinand Announce First North American Tour Dates in Three Years

May and June Dates are First U.S. Ones Without Former Guitarist Nick McCarthy

Feb 28, 2017

Scotland’s Franz Ferdinand have announced a North American tour for this summer. It’s their first U.S. tour in three years, and thus their first American dates since the departure of founding guitarist Nick McCarthy. They go down in May and June and are generally on the East Coast. More

BNQT (Members of Midlake, Band of Horses, Grandaddy, Franz Ferdinand, Travis) Announce Album

Volume 1 Due Out April 28 via Dualtone/Entertainment One/Bella Union, Listen to "Restart"

Jan 30, 2017

The members of Midlake (Eric Pulido, McKenzie Smith, Joey McClellan, and Jesse Chandler) have a new supergroup named BNQT that features vocals by Pulido, but also notable singers from four other bands: Band of Horses’ Ben Bridwell, Franz Ferdinand‘s Alex Kapranos, Grandaddy‘s Jason Lytle, and Travis’ Fran Healy. More

Listen: Temples - “Certainty (Franz Ferdinand Remix)”

Volcano Due Out March 3, 2017 via Fat Possum

Nov 30, 2016

British psychedelic pop quartet Temples released their promising debut album, Sun Structures, back in 2014 and are releasing their sophomore album, Volcano, on March 3, 2017 via Fat Possum. More

Listen: Franz Ferdinand Shares New Anti-Donald Trump Song - “Demagogue”

Part of the Anti-Trump "30 Days, 30 Songs" Project

Oct 14, 2016

Scotland’s Franz Ferdinand have shared a brand new song, “Demagogue,” that is a clear statement against Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. More

Guitarist Nick McCarthy Leaves Franz Ferdinand

Plans to Focus on the Family

Jul 08, 2016

Scotland’s Franz Ferdinand have maintained the same lineup since their start and their iconic 2004-released self-titled debut album, but alas that’s now changing. Guitarist Nick McCarthy has announced that he’s leaving the band. More

Oct 15, 2015

FFS, the collaboration between Scotland’s Franz Ferdinand and Los Angeles legends Sparks, released their self-titled debut album back in June via Domino and it’s really one of the best records from a super-group in recent memory, seamlessly blending both artists’ sounds into something new and exciting. More

Oct 14, 2015

FFS, the collaboration between Scotland’s Franz Ferdinand and Los Angeles legends Sparks, released their self-titled debut album back in June via Domino. Last night the supergroup showed up on The Late Late Show with James Corden. They performed “Police Encounters.” More

Aug 04, 2015

FFS, the collaboration between Scotland’s Franz Ferdinand and Los Angeles legends Sparks, released their self-titled debut album back in June via Domino. More

Jun 08, 2015

FFS, the collaboration between Scotland’s Franz Ferdinand and Los Angeles legends Sparks, are releasing their self-titled debut album tomorrow via Domino and now we have the video for “Piss Off.” More

Jun 01, 2015

FFS, the collaboration between Scotland’s Franz Ferdinand and Los Angeles legends Sparks, are releasing their self-titled debut album next week via Domino. More

May 28, 2015

FFS, the collaboration between Scotland’s Franz Ferdinand and Los Angeles legends Sparks, have shared a new single entitled “Call Girl.” It’s the latest song to be revealed from their self-titled debut album, which is due out June 9 via Domino. More

May 20, 2015

FFS is a collaboration between Scotland’s Franz Ferdinand and Los Angeles legends Sparks. It’s an inspired matchup to be sure and seems to work based on what we’ve heard so far. Their self-titled debut album is out June 9 via Domino and now we have the video for “Johnny Delusional.” More

Apr 01, 2015

Glasgow, Scotland-based rock band Franz Ferdinand has joined forces with legendary Los Angeles duo Sparks to form the super-group FFS, announcing the release of their self-titled debut, due out June 9 via via Domino Records. More

Watch: Franz Ferdinand Perform “Bullet” on “Kimmel”

Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action is out now on Domino

May 01, 2014

Last night Scottish gents Franz Ferdinand stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live to perform “Bullet” from their recently released album Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action. More

Mar 14, 2014

Franz Ferdinand have premiered a brand new music video featuring their Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action single “Fresh Strawberries.” More

Mar 04, 2014

Franz Ferdinand have premiered a brand new music video for a new b-side track titled “Erdbeer Mund,” newly paired with their latest single “Fresh Strawberries.” More

Feb 07, 2014

Still touring behind their latest LP Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action, Franz Ferdinand have apparently been secretly collaborating on a joint album with veteran synth duo Sparks. More

Under the Radar’s Top 50 Music Videos of 2013

Our Favorite Visuals of the Year

Jan 03, 2014

While the days of watching music videos on television are long gone, over the past several years the visual art form has certainly found second life (like so many other things) as an excellent online commodity. More

Nov 19, 2013

Continuing their support of their latest LP Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action, Franz Ferdinand have premiered a fast-paced music video for their new single “Bullet.” More

Nov 15, 2013

Recently taking the support of their new album Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action down under to Australia, Franz Ferdinand stopped by the country’s popular radio home Triple J where they took part in the station’s ongoing “Like a Version” cover series. More

Listen: Franz Ferdinand – “Take Me Out (Daft Punk Remix)”

When You’re Daft Punk, You Make the Rules

Sep 20, 2013

It seems like an odd choice for Daft Punk to remix a song from Franz Ferdinand’s first album. But when you’re the reigning kings of the French music scene, you make the rules. More

Sep 09, 2013

Franz Ferdinand have premiered a grotesque and gory music video for their latest Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action single “Evil Eye.” More

Aug 28, 2013

Out and about promoting the recent release of their latest LP Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action, Glasgow foursome Franz Ferdinand took a break from their own repertoire while visit French radio station Ouï FM to perform a cover of Grimes’ steadfast hit “Oblivion.” More

Aug 20, 2013

On Aug. 27 Franz Ferdinand will release their fourth studio album Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action. More

Jul 30, 2013

Last night Glasgow rockers Franz Ferdinand served as the musical guest on Conan where they performed the semi-title track off their forthcoming new album Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action. More

Watch: New Franz Ferdinand Video, “Love Illumination”

Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action Out August 27th

Jul 25, 2013

Check out the new video for “Love Illumination,” from dance-rockers Franz Ferdinand off their forthcoming album Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action. The video is directed by Tim Saccenti, and features the band performing amid weirdly dressed dancers in a Burton-esque checkered room. More

Watch: Franz Ferdinand Stop By Letterman

Plus a 48-Minute Set For The Web

Jul 23, 2013

Franz Ferdinand stopped by Letterman last night to perform “Right Action” a cut form their forthcoming album Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action. More

Jul 16, 2013

Franz Ferdinand have announced plans to perform on the Late Show‘s ongoing webcast concert series, Live on Letterman next week on Monday, June 22. More

Jul 08, 2013

Next month Franz Ferdinand will release their fourth studio album, Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action. More

Listen: Franz Ferdinand - “Right Action” Song Stream

Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action Out Aug. 27

Jun 28, 2013

Take a taste of Franz Ferdinand’s forthcoming album Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action, due out August 27 via Domino. More

Franz Ferdinand Announce North American Tour

New Album Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action Out Aug. 27

Jun 17, 2013

Recently announcing the arrival of their new album Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action Franz Ferdinand have announced plans to tour North America this fall. More

Beck Will Perform “Song Reader” Live in London on July 4

Guests Include Jarvis Cocker, Franz Ferdinand, Charlotte Gainsbourg and More

May 16, 2013

Remember last year, when we got all excited that Beck was about to release his first album since 2008’s Modern Guilt…and it turned out to be a collection of sheet music called Song Reader? Well, we can finally put down our guitars. More

May 16, 2013

August 27, Franz Ferdinand will release the follow-up to 2008 album, Tonight. More

Check Out Photos from Day Three of Outside Lands 2012 Including Stevie Wonder and Jack White

Plus Franz Ferdinand, Skrillex, Bloc Party, Santigold, Regina Spektor and more.

Aug 14, 2012

Check out photos from Day Three of the Outside Lands, held in the historic Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, CA on August 12, 2012. The gallery includes photos of Bloc Party, Caveman, Franz Ferdinand,Jack White, Regina Spektor, Santigold, Skrillex, Stevie Wonder and Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman. More

Listen: LCD Soundsystem Covers Franz Ferdinand

From Record Store Day Covers Project.

Apr 12, 2011

In honor of Record Store day this Saturday (you’re already lining up, right?) Franz Ferdinand is releasing a cover EP, featuring musicians’ takes on their most recent album Tonight. One such group? LCD Soundsystem. Today their cut “Live Alone,” surfaced. Check it out below.

More

Edwyn Collins’ New Album to Feature The Drums, Franz Ferdinand, and Johnny Marr

First Record Since Suffering Double Brain Hemorrhage Features Star-Studded Supporting Cast

Jun 14, 2010

Ex-Orange Juice frontman Edwyn Collins is set to release his first album since suffering a double brain hemorrhage in 2005. The supporting cast for the album, titled Losing Sleep, includes indie luminaries Johnny Marr of The Smiths, Alex Kapranos and Nick McCarthy of Franz Ferdinand, The Drums, Ryan Jarman of The Cribs, Romeo Stodart of The Magic Numbers, and Roddy Frame of Aztec Camera More

Jan 22, 2010

After discovering that a McDonald’s website featured a Franz Ferdinand song, frontman Alex Kapranos made his displeasure known. More

Scottish Band The Yummy Fur Looks Set to Reunite

U.K. and U.S. Dates in the Works for Next January

Nov 24, 2009

The Yummy Fur, which boasted a mix of current members of Franz Ferdinand and 1990s, will play again on both sides of the Atlantic come 2010. More

Franz Ferdinand to Release Dub Version of Latest Album

Scots to Release Blood and Are Currently on Tour

Apr 22, 2009

Scottish New-Wave rockers Franz Ferdinand plan to release Blood, a dub version of their third full-length, Tonight: Franz Ferdinand. More

Coachella 2009 Kicks off With Strong Sets from Paul McCartney and Leonard Cohen

The Former Beatle Plays an Emotional Set on the Anniversary of His Wife's Passing

Apr 18, 2009

Coachella 2009 kicked off with strong sets from living legends Leonard Cohen and Paul McCartney, as the crowd adjusted to a desert heat that was forecasted to get even hotter as the weekend went on. More

Coachella Day One Photos

View photos of Paul McCartney, Morrissey, Leonard Cohen, Franz Ferdinand, Conor Oberst, Noah and the Whale, and others

Apr 18, 2009

Check out photos from Coachella day one (Friday, April 17, 2009) More



Interviews

Jun 22, 2018

Alex Kapranos begins with a blank slate-an honest to goodness real blank slate. No preconceived ideas. No thematic direction. No cares or concerns for where Franz Ferdinand has gone in the past or where they’re expected to head in the future. The band, he says, has to be selfish that way. More

Nov 03, 2015

FFSan acronym meaning “For Fuck’s Sake” in text lingois what many people probably thought when they heard that Scottish indie rockers Franz Ferdinand and Los Angeles art-pop legends Sparks were attempting to join together in one band under that moniker. Or at least that’s what Franz Ferdinand vocalist and songwriter Alex Kapranos suspects, a possibility that seems to please him to no end. More

Scottish Musicians Speak Out on Today’s Scottish Independence Referendum Vote

Members of Belle and Sebastian, Franz Ferdinand, Django Django, Frightened Rabbit, Ladytron, The Pastels, The Twilight Sad, The Vaselines, and Others on if They Are Voting Yes or No

Sep 18, 2014

Today is a historic day in Scotland as it is the day the nation votes on the Scottish Independence Referendum. The people of Scotland get to vote on whether or not to secede from the United Kingdom and have Scotland become its own country. Here various Scottish musicians weigh in on the subject. More

Scotland Week: Franz Ferdinand

"We're not even a poor country, yet 800,000 people live in poverty and parts of Glasgow have the lowest mortality rate in Europe." - Paul Thomson

Sep 04, 2014

For this Scotland Week interview we talk to Franz Ferdinand. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the release of the band’s self-titled debut album, a record that was met with near universal critical acclaim and was also a commercial success in both the U.K. and the U.S., among other countries. Franz Ferdinand also won the coveted Mercury Prize in 2004, given annually to the best album by an artist from the United Kingdom. More


Reviews

Jun 07, 2022

Greatest hits or compilation packages like Franz Ferdinand’s Hits to the Head, almost two decades into a band’s career, are primarily for several different kinds of fans. More

Feb 08, 2018

Scottish indie rockers Franz Ferdinand exploded onto the music scene with their global hit “Take Me Out” in 2004. In the 14 years since, they’ve released three albums, lost some popularity, and even lost founding member and keyboardist/guitarist Nick McCarthy. More

Aug 27, 2013

Largely speaking, this fourth album follows the same pattern as the first album, and the one after that… and the one after that. More

Apr 18, 2009

Coachella 2009 kicked off with strong sets from living legends Leonard Cohen and Paul McCartney, as the crowd adjusted to a desert heat that was forecasted to get even hotter as the weekend went on. More

Nov 01, 2008

They’ve always flirted with dance music, with the best moments of their first two releases often driven by barbed guitars and angular hooks that were often underscored by a remarkably propulsive rhythm section that locked down airtight grooves. More