In their third decade as a band, Franz Ferdinand have built a noble reputation as a legacy act. They took their time with this sixth album - 7 years to be exact - but this upbeat release presents a polished preservation of what the band has always done well, refreshed for a new decade. Groovy baselines and peppy riffs collide with witty lyrics and the swaggering charisma of vocalist Alex Kapranos to create a version of Britpop that feels more sonically considered than their raucous hits of the 2000s. It’s nothing groundbreaking, but it’s an entertaining listen nonetheless. LT

The Human Fear