This album is a hit with me. I found it more immediately likeable than their previous studio album Always Ascending (2018) and it was great to have new tracks after their Hits to the Head compilation. The line-up has changed somewhat over the years but there is still the Franz sound. The opening track, ‘Audacious,’ is one of the best on the album, along with ‘Night or Day’, which after only two listens got stuck in my head! This was played on the band’s recent BBC Piano Room appearance, along with their early classic ‘Take Me Out’ and the unusual choice of ‘Toxic’ by Britney Spears.
I enjoyed the variety of sounds on the album, particularly the keyboard and bass. ‘Hooked’ has a killer electronic hook to match its title and ‘Black Eyelashes’ has a Greek style (there are even Greek phrases in the lyrics, which are not translated in the booklet). I liked the lyrics to ‘Cats’ but it could have been quirkier, perhaps with some meow-like synths added. In summary, if you’re a Franz fan, or even if you’re not, be ‘audacious’ and buy it!
