Bob, Nick, Alex and Paul have done it again, haven't they? The music vultures expecting the sophomore Franz album to show up its creators' mono-dimensionalism were severely disappointed upon its release earlier this year - not least because of the breathless excitement stirred by the LP's first single Do You Want To. Now the weather is turning, and Walk Away is the proverbial calm after the storm - but is just as engaging and thought-pervading as its predecesor.
Out goes irreverent animation and overtly 80s haircuts, in comes vintage Americana principles and film noir stylistics. It's as if the band are delving deeper into their closet of influences; now far beyond the skinny ties and Kraftwerk dance moves of Matinee, they are browsing Buddy Holly glasses, dusting off their teddy boy jackets and fondling the Brylcreem. Next album: songs about the Wall Street crash accompanied by House Of Elliot-style promos. Splendid.
Although accompanied by a distinctly half-arsed stab at Air's Sexy Boy (an opportunity missed, surely), Walk Away is set to continue Franz Ferdinand's white hot run of singles - their weapon of choice against their envy-filled contemporaries. It's the slowest track in its family tree, and yet remains classic Franz: the imitable lyrics, precisely-timed changes and trademark edible licks are present and correct, ready and willing to soundtrack your embarrassing Elvis knee-shakes at the nearest equivalent of Al's Diner. We really are getting it so much better.
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