Franz Ferdinand - Always Ascending

Always Ascending is the 2018 record where Franz Ferdinand rebuilt themselves and came back sounding sleek, playful and newly in love with the dancefloor.

The Glasgow band had just said goodbye to founding guitarist Nick McCarthy, and rather than retreat, Alex Kapranos and company recruited Julian Corrie and Dino Bardot and headed in a fresh direction. They teamed up with the late French producer Philippe Zdar, best known for his work with Cassius and Phoenix, and his touch is everywhere: polished, buoyant and full of electronic sparkle without losing the band's angular wit.

The title track is a smart opener, a slow build that climbs and climbs like its name suggests before exploding into a disco stomp. Lazy Boy is a gloriously daft groove about doing absolutely nothing, while Feel the Love Go rides a squelchy synth line all the way into full party mode. Lois Lane and Paper Cages keep Kapranos' sharp storytelling front and centre.

It is the sound of a band refusing to stand still, and it suits them. For fans of their early hits or anyone who likes their indie rock with a bit of swagger and sweat, this is a sharp, joyous listen that rewards repeat spins.