Franz Ferdinand Always Ascending 145 Gram Pink Vinyl Limited

Since the release of their debut, Franz Ferdinand have teetered between the raw post-punk that won them acclaim and attempts to broaden that sound. Always Ascending arrives at a ripe time for them to experiment: after founding member Nick McCarthy left in 2016, keyboardist Julian Corrie joined the fold. With the help of Corrie and producer Philippe Zdar -- known for his dance and rock-melding work with Phoenix and Justice -- the band follows through on the dance music flirtations of Tonight. The title track transforms the band's familiar dance-punk into gleaming space disco that feels like a leap into the unknown. Later, "Feel the Love Go" gives their skill at shifting from lusty to poignant a chrome-plated upgrade. Other highlights include "Lois Lane"'s sweeping synth pop and the mystique-laden finale, "Slow Don't Kill Me Slow," both of which demonstrate the revamped Franz Ferdinand's potential. ~ Heather Phares

• Format: Vinyl
• Genre: Rock and Pop