Always Ascending
by Franz Ferdinand
  • Record Label: Domino
  • Release Date: Feb 9, 2018
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 73 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 53 out of 73
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 73
  3. Negative: 3 out of 73
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  1. lennycliff123
    Feb 11, 2018
    5
    This is arguably Franz Ferdinand's weakest album to date, though The title track is a brilliant bit of trippy euro disco with a difference. It's just a shame that the rest of the album fails to live up to the promise of that song.
  2. OrenBrown
    Feb 23, 2018
    6
    As a long time fan of Franz Ferdinand, (I believe they were the second gig I ever attended) this album is disappointing. The songwriting is lackluster and the sound of this album comes off as pretentious at times. I found it hard to connect with this album emotionally. All that being said, Alex Kapranos hasn't lost his swagger as a front-man and the album has a variety of moments that areAs a long time fan of Franz Ferdinand, (I believe they were the second gig I ever attended) this album is disappointing. The songwriting is lackluster and the sound of this album comes off as pretentious at times. I found it hard to connect with this album emotionally. All that being said, Alex Kapranos hasn't lost his swagger as a front-man and the album has a variety of moments that are very enjoyable, especially from a technical aspect.… Expand
  3. Badgerrrs
    Mar 3, 2018
    5
    On first listen this album is exactly as I thought it would be. They still sound like Franz Ferdinand but it's a very average album without any standout tracks. Probably the last song is the only one that attempts to break the mould and do something different. Sometimes new is better than just the same old same old. May sound better after a few listens.
  4. HannahK
    Feb 10, 2018
    5
    On first hearing Always Ascending {the title track} I thought that the new album would be an exiting departure for the band. Unfortunately the lead single is the only standout song on the album. Other songs come and go but fail to leave any lasting impression. A bit disappointing.
  5. stgrunu
    Apr 4, 2018
    5
    This is Franz weakest album to date. I get the aesthetic is cool but the 90's called and they want their eurobeat back.

Awards & Rankings

96
#96 Most Discussed Album of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. Magnet
    Apr 17, 2018
    60
    It's frustrating, because behind the superficial surfaces, these songs can thrill. [No. 150, p.52]
  2. No Ripcord
    Feb 20, 2018
    60
    Like their past work, subpar filler holds the album back. It’s worth joining them for the climb, just know that it’s going to be an uneven ascent.
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  3. Spin
    Feb 15, 2018
    70
    Despite such surface gloss, it’s clear Franz Ferdinand are still finding their creative footing without McCarthy. The taut arrangements present on previous albums can occasionally give way to moody repetition (“The Academy Award”) or sluggish tempos (“Slow Don’t Kill Me Slow”), robbing the record of immediacy. This is a small quibble, however.
    Read full review
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