Always Ascending
{{About|the Franz Ferdinand album|its title track|Always Ascending (song)}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Always Ascending
| type = studio
| artist = Franz Ferdinand
| cover = Franz Ferdinand - Always Ascending album cover art.png
| border =
| released = {{Start date|2018|2|9|df=yes}}
| recorded = 2017
| studio = {{hlist|Motorbass (Paris)|RAK (London)}}
| genre = {{hlist|Indie rock|dance-punk|new wave}}
| length = {{duration|m=39|s=48}}
| label = Domino
| producer = Philippe Zdar
| prev_title = FFS
| prev_year = 2015
| next_title = Hits to the Head
| next_year = 2022
| misc =
{{Singles
| name = Always Ascending
| type = studio
| single1 = Always Ascending
| single1date = 25 October 2017
| single2 = Feel the Love Go
| single2date = 8 January 2018
| single3 = Lazy Boy
| single3date = 25 January 2018
| single4 = Glimpse of Love
| single4date = 25 March 2018
}}
}}
Always Ascending is the fifth studio album by Scottish indie rock band Franz Ferdinand. It was released on 9 February 2018 through the Domino Recording Company. It is the band's first non-collaborative album in over four years, following Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action (2013). It is also their first album to feature new member Julian Corrie, who joined shortly after the departure of Nick McCarthy, and their last to feature drummer Paul Thomson. The album received generally positive reviews from critics. It peaked at number three in Scotland and number six in the UK. Four singles were released from the album: "Always Ascending", "Feel the Love Go", "Lazy Boy" and an alternative version of "Glimpse of Love". Several tracks from the album are featured during scenes or the closing credits of various episodes of the television show Loudermilk.
Background and recording
Following the release of Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action, the band's fourth studio album, in August 2013, the band collaborated with American rock band Sparks under the name FFS. They released a self-titled album in July 2015 and briefly toured.{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/59077-franz-ferdinand-and-sparks-announce-self-titled-album-as-ffs/|title=Franz Ferdinand and Sparks Announce Self-Titled Album as FFS|date=1 April 2015|accessdate=25 October 2017|author=Beauchemin, Molly|website=Pitchfork}} In July 2016, it was announced that Nick McCarthy, one of the band's founding members, was taking a break from the band to spend more time with family and focusing on side projects.{{cite web | url=https://pitchfork.com/news/66657-franz-ferdinand-part-ways-with-guitarist-nick-mccarthy/ | title=Franz Ferdinand Part Ways With Guitarist Nick McCarthy | website=Pitchfork | date=8 July 2016 | accessdate=25 October 2017 | author=Monroe, Jazz}} It was announced in May 2017 that two new members had joined the band; Dino Bardot, former guitarist for Scottish indie rock band 1990s, and music producer Julian Corrie.{{Cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/73634-franz-ferdinand-introduce-two-new-members/ |title=Franz Ferdinand Introduce Two New Members |last=Wicks |first=Amanda |date=19 May 2017 |website=Pitchfork |access-date=25 October 2017}} Corrie joined the band for the recording sessions of the album, while Bardot joined after recording was completed.{{Cite web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/music/franz-ferdinand-talk-politics-pop-basically-elected-worst-person-212553371.html |title=Franz Ferdinand talk politics and pop: 'You basically elected your worst person' (Video) |last=Parker |first=Lyndsey |date=10 January 2018 |website=Yahoo! Music |access-date=25 January 2018}}
The band recorded the album at Motorbass Studios in Paris and RAK Studios in London.{{Cite web |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/10/franz-ferdinand-return-with.html |title=Franz Ferdinand Return With Always Ascending, Share Title Track |last=Oshinsky |first=Matthew |date=25 October 2017 |website=Paste |access-date=25 October 2017 |archive-date=26 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026001547/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/10/franz-ferdinand-return-with.html |url-status=dead }} They previously used RAK Studios to record FFS in late 2014.{{cite web | url=http://www.dominorecordco.com/uk/news/13-04-15/ffs-annouce-details-of-the-release-of-the-first-single-from-their-debut-album/ | title=FFS announce details of the release of the first single from their debut album | publisher=Domino Recording Company | date=13 April 2015 | accessdate=2 November 2017}}{{cite web | url=http://www.dominorecordco.com/uk/albums/30-03-15/ffs/ | title=FFS | publisher=Domino Recording Company | accessdate=2 November 2017}} For Always Ascending, they worked alongside Philippe Zdar, one-half of French synthpop duo Cassius and frequent collaborator with French indie pop band Phoenix, on the album.
Composition
The music of Always Ascending has been described as indie rock, dance-punk, and new wave, all genres that the band have been previously associated with.{{Cite web |url=https://www.list.co.uk/article/98896-franz-ferdinand-get-set-for-fifth-album-release-and-uk-tour/ |title=Franz Ferdinand get set for fifth album release and UK tour |last=Pollock |first=David |date=2 February 2018 |website=The List |access-date=8 February 2018}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/reviews/albums/franz-ferdinand-always-ascending |title=Franz Ferdinand – Always Ascending |last=Innes |first=Corrie |date=5 February 2018 |website=The Skinny |access-date=8 February 2018}}
Promotion and release
Prior to the announcement of the album, the band shared a short snippet of the title track on social media platforms on 23 October 2017.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/franz-ferdinand-teasing-return-new-album-2017-2152580 |title=Franz Ferdinand tease return with snippet of new music |last=Trendell |first=Andrew |date=23 October 2017 |website=NME |access-date=25 October 2017}} On 25 October, the band released the title track as the album's lead single. Alongside the release was the reveal of the album's title, artwork, and track listing. They also released dates for a world tour, starting in October 2017 and ending in May 2018.{{Cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/franz-ferdinand-announce-new-album-always-ascending-share-new-song-listen/ |title=Franz Ferdinand Announce New Album Always Ascending, Share New Song: Listen |last=Blais-Bille |first=Braudie |date=25 October 2017 |website=Pitchfork |access-date=26 October 2017}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.spin.com/2017/10/franz-ferdinand-always-ascending-album/ |title=Franz Ferdinand Announce New LP Always Ascending, Release Title Track |last=Cook-Wilson |first=Winston |date=25 October 2017 |website=Spin |access-date=26 October 2017}} A music video for the title track, directed by AB/CD/CD, was released on 4 December.{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/watch-franz-ferdinands-vivid-always-ascending-video-w513162 |title=Watch Franz Ferdinand's Vivid 'Always Ascending' Video |last=Reed |first=Ryan |date=4 December 2017 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=7 December 2017}} On 8 January 2018, "Feel the Love Go" was premiered on Zane Lowe's radio show on Beats 1. A music video was also released on the same day and made exclusive to the Apple Music service.{{Cite web |url=https://www.spin.com/2018/01/franz-ferdinand-feel-the-love-go-stream/ |title=Franz Ferdinand – "Feel the Love Go" |last=Gaca |first=Anna |date=8 January 2018 |website=Spin |access-date=8 January 2018}} The video was directed by Diane Martel, who had previously directed the band's music videos for "Do You Want To" and "Evil Eye".{{Cite web |url=https://diane-martel.com/ |title=diane-martel.com |publisher=Diane Martel (official website) |access-date=8 January 2018}} On 25 January, "Lazy Boy" was released as a single.{{Cite web |url=https://boomkat.com/products/lazy-boy-611b59e0-b4a7-4b91-b7fa-dc8caa899656 |title=Lazy Boy |website=Boomkat |access-date=25 January 2018}}
The album was released on physical and digital formats on 9 February 2018 by the Domino Recording Company. It was made available on 12" vinyl, CD, and a limited edition cassette.{{Cite web |url=http://franzferdinand.dominomart.com/ |title=Franz Ferdinand {{!}} Always Ascending {{!}} Domino Mart |date=25 October 2017 |website=Domino Mart |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025232344/http://franzferdinand.dominomart.com/ |archive-date=25 October 2017 |access-date=26 October 2017}} A bundle was also made available which included a 180 gram blue and white marble-colored vinyl and other special merchandise items, limited to 1,500 copies.{{Cite web |url=http://franzferdinand.dominomart.com/always-ascending-exclusive-limited-edition-coloured-vinyl |title=Franz Ferdinand {{!}} Always Ascending {{!}} Signed Deluxe LP Bundle |date=25 October 2017 |website=Domino Mart |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025232755/http://franzferdinand.dominomart.com/always-ascending-exclusive-limited-edition-coloured-vinyl |archive-date=25 October 2017 |access-date=26 October 2017}} The Japanese CD edition of the album was released through Hostess Entertainment and featured the band's non-album single "Demagogue" (2016) from 30 Days, 30 Songs as a bonus track.
Critical reception
{{Album ratings
| rev1 = AllMusic
| rev1Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/always-ascending-mw0003120758 |title=Always Ascending - Franz Ferdinand |last=Phares |first=Heather |date=10 February 2018 |website=AllMusic |access-date=11 February 2018}}
| rev2 = The A.V. Club
| rev2Score = B−{{Cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/son-lux-franz-ferdinand-and-more-albums-to-know-about-1822836667 |title=Son Lux, Franz Ferdinand, and more albums to know about this week |author=Ryan, Kyle |display-authors=et al |date=9 February 2018 |website=The A.V. Club |access-date=17 February 2018}}
| rev3 = The Guardian
| rev3Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/feb/09/franz-ferdinand-always-ascending-review-domino |title=Franz Ferdinand: Always Ascending review – geometric diagrams of pop |last=Aroesti |first=Rachel |date=9 February 2018 |website=The Guardian |access-date=9 February 2018}}
| rev4 = The Independent
| rev4Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-reviews-franz-ferdinand-always-ascending-ezra-furman-transangelic-exodus-and-more-a8199441.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212121836/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-reviews-franz-ferdinand-always-ascending-ezra-furman-transangelic-exodus-and-more-a8199441.html |archive-date=2018-02-12 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |title=Album reviews: Franz Ferdinand - Always Ascending, Ezra Furman - Transangelic Exodus and more |last=Gill |first=Andy |date=8 February 2018 |website=The Independent |access-date=17 February 2018}}
| rev5 = Mojo
| rev5Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{Cite magazine |date=March 2018 |title=Franz Ferdinand - Always Ascending |magazine=Mojo |issue=292 |page=92}}
| rev6 = NME
| rev6Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/franz-ferdinand-always-ascending-review |title=Franz Ferdinand – 'Always Ascending' Review |last=Trendell |first=Andrew |date=8 February 2018 |website=NME |access-date=8 February 2018}}
| rev7 = Pitchfork
| rev7Score = 6.9/10{{Cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/franz-ferdinand-always-ascending/ |title=Franz Ferdinand: Always Ascending |last=Monroe |first=Jazz |date=8 February 2018 |website=Pitchfork |access-date=8 February 2018}}
| rev8 = Rolling Stone
| rev8Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/review-franz-ferdinands-always-ascending-w516484 |title=Review: Franz Ferdinand Return and the Dapper Crew Wants to Dance |last=Hermes |first=Will |date=8 February 2018 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=9 February 2018}}
| rev9 = Slant Magazine
| rev9Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/franz-ferdinand-always-ascending |title=Franz Ferdinand: Always Ascending |last=Goller |first=Josh |date=5 February 2018 |website=Slant |access-date=8 February 2018}}
| rev10 = Under the Radar
| rev10Score = {{Rating|8|10}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.undertheradarmag.com/reviews/franz_ferdinand_always_ascending/ |title=Franz Ferdinand: Always Ascending |author=Matt the Raven |date=8 February 2018 |website=Under the Radar |access-date=17 February 2018}}
}}
Always Ascending received generally positive reviews from critics. On review aggregator site Metacritic, the album holds an average critic score of 72/100, based on 26 reviews.{{Cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/always-ascending/franz-ferdinand |title=Always Ascending by Franz Ferdinand |website=Metacritic |access-date=8 February 2018}} At the online review aggregator AnyDecentMusic?, the album received an average critic score of 6.7/10, based on 31 reviews.{{Cite web |url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/9127/Franz-Ferdinand-Always-Ascending.aspx |title=Always Ascending by Franz Ferdinand reviews |website=AnyDecentMusic? |access-date=21 February 2018}}
Track listing
{{Track listing
| total_length = 39:48
| headline = Always Ascending{{Cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/always-ascending/1294718686 |title=Always Ascending by Franz Ferdinand |publisher=Apple Music |access-date=25 October 2017}}
| all_writing = Julian Corrie, Bob Hardy, Alex Kapranos, Dino Bardot and Paul Thomson
| title1 = Always Ascending
| length1 = 5:21
| title2 = Lazy Boy
| length2 = 2:59
| title3 = Paper Cages
| length3 = 3:40
| title4 = Finally
| length4 = 3:09
| title5 = The Academy Award
| length5 = 4:14
| title6 = Lois Lane
| length6 = 3:34
| title7 = Huck and Jim
| length7 = 3:35
| title8 = Glimpse of Love
| length8 = 3:12
| title9 = Feel the Love Go
| length9 = 4:46
| title10 = Slow Don't Kill Me Slow
| length10 = 5:18
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Japanese CD edition bonus track{{cite web|url=http://hostess.co.jp/releases/2018/02/HSE-1291.html|title=Always Ascending|work=Hostess Entertainment Unlimited|accessdate=13 September 2020|language=ja-JP|archive-date=26 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226002601/http://hostess.co.jp/releases/2018/02/HSE-1291.html|url-status=dead}}
| total_length = 42:40
| title11 = Demagogue
| length11 = 2:38
}}
Personnel
All personnel adapted from liner notes.{{cite AV media notes|title=Always Ascending|others=Franz Ferdinand|year=2018|type=album liner notes|publisher=Domino Recording Company}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
Franz Ferdinand
Additional musicians
- Terry Edwards – saxophone {{small|(track 9)}}
Technical personnel
- Mike Horner – additional production
- Pierre Juarez – additional production
- Mike Marsh – mastering
- Sam Potter – extra contribution {{small|(tracks 1, 3)}}
- Antoine Poyeton – assistant at Motorbass Studios
- Will Purton – assistant at RAK Studios
- Philippe Zdar – production, mixing
{{col-2}}
Other personnel
- Melissa Appleton – Infinity Mirror construction
- Edwin Burdis – coordination
- Cerne Canning – management
- Matthew Cooper – design
- Sylvan Deleu – photography
- David Edwards – band collage photos
- Franz Ferdinand – design
- Alexis Anne Mackenzie – cover art, band collages
- Nicola Wright – assistant manager
{{col-end}}
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2018)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| {{album chart|Australia|28|artist=Franz Ferdinand|album=Always Ascending|rowheader=true|accessdate=17 February 2018}} |
| {{album chart|Austria|16|artist=Franz Ferdinand|album=Always Ascending|rowheader=true|accessdate=22 February 2018}} |
| {{album chart|Flanders|21|artist=Franz Ferdinand|album=Always Ascending|rowheader=true|accessdate=17 February 2018}} |
| {{album chart|Wallonia|13|artist=Franz Ferdinand|album=Always Ascending|rowheader=true|accessdate=17 February 2018}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardCanada|31|artist=Franz Ferdinand|rowheader=true|accessdate=21 February 2018}} |
| {{album chart|Czech|30|date=201807|rowheader=true|accessdate=8 April 2019}} |
| {{album chart|Netherlands|19|artist=Franz Ferdinand|album=Always Ascending|rowheader=true|accessdate=17 February 2018}} |
| {{album chart|France|14|artist=Franz Ferdinand|album=Always Ascending|rowheader=true|accessdate=22 February 2018}} |
| {{album chart|Germany4|13|id=347498|artist=Franz Ferdinand|album=Always Ascending|rowheader=true|accessdate=16 February 2018}} |
| scope="row"| Greek Albums (IFPI Greece){{cite web|url=https://www.ifpi.gr/charts_el.html|title=IFPI Charts|website=www.ifpi.gr|accessdate=2 March 2018}}
| 57 |
| {{album chart|Ireland3|35|artist=Franz Ferdinand|date=20180216|rowheader=true|accessdate=28 July 2022}} |
| scope="row"| Italian Albums (FIMI){{cite web|url=http://www.fimi.it/classifiche#/category:album/id:2634|title=Album – Classifica settimanale WK 7 (dal 2018-02-09 al 2018-02-15)|publisher=Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana|language=Italian|accessdate=17 February 2018}}
| 31 |
| scope="row"| Japan Hot Albums (Billboard Japan){{cite web|url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot_albums&year=2018&month=02&day=19|title=Always Ascending on Billboard Japan Hot Albums|website=Billboard Japan|accessdate=September 13, 2020|language=ja|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322081427/http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot_albums&year=2018&month=02&day=19 |archive-date=22 March 2018 }}
| 35 |
| {{album chart|Oricon|26|date=2018-02-19|rowheader=true|accessdate=21 February 2018}} |
|
! scope="row"| New Zealand Heatseeker Albums (RMNZ){{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/albums/2018-02-16|title=NZ Heatseeker Albums Chart|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|date=19 February 2018|access-date=16 February 2018}} | 2 |
| {{album chart|Portugal|14|artist=Franz Ferdinand|album=Always Ascending|rowheader=true|accessdate=21 February 2018}} |
| {{album chart|Scotland|3|date=20180216|rowheader=true|accessdate=17 February 2018}} |
| scope="row"| Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE){{cite web|url=http://www.promusicae.es/listas/semana/3641-%C3%81lbumes-semana-7-2018|title=Top 100 Albumes – Semana 7: del 9.2.2018 al 15.2.2018|publisher=Productores de Música de España|language=Spanish|accessdate=22 February 2018}}
| 20 |
| {{album chart|Switzerland|5|artist=Franz Ferdinand|album=Always Ascending|rowheader=true|accessdate=21 February 2018}} |
| {{album chart|UK2|6|date=20180216|rowheader=true|accessdate=17 February 2018}} |
| {{album chart|UKIndependent|2|date=20180216|rowheader=true|accessdate=23 February 2018}} |
| {{album chart|Billboard200|59|artist=Franz Ferdinand|rowheader=true|accessdate=21 February 2018}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardIndependent|1|artist=Franz Ferdinand|rowheader=true|accessdate=23 February 2018}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardAlternative|5|artist=Franz Ferdinand|rowheader=true|accessdate=23 February 2018}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardRock|5|artist=Franz Ferdinand|rowheader=true|accessdate=21 February 2018}} |
Release history
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Franz Ferdinand}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Franz Ferdinand (band) albums