Music collaboration isn’t anything new in this day and age. Whether they are brought together by similar musical influences like metal-loving supergroup The Damned Things or unfortunate circumstance like Matt Skiba filling in for the Tom Delonge-less Blink 182, collaboration is a big part of musical pop culture spectrum. Sometimes the collaboration comes together so fluidly and naturally, it’s easy to forget it’s a collaboration to begin with. As is the case with Franz Ferdinand teaming up with Sparks for the self-titled FFS supergroup debut.
A collaboration ten years in the making, according to a press release, the two bands have been planning on combining forces since Franz Ferdinand released their debut album. Over the course of several serendipitous encounters between members of the two bands over the last decade, they finally joined forces to release a 12-track album this summer.
Under the moniker FFS, the self-titled album is set to release on June 9. The first single is set to release in April, but until then the first song produced for the album, “Piss Off” can be heard below.
The song manages to combine the glam rock elements of LA duo Sparks with the indie dance rock persuasions of Franz Ferdinand without compromising its unique sound. Rather than sound like a smorgasbord of the different bands’ style, the song captures a whole new sound. Reminiscent of Queen’s piano-heavy offerings and David Bowie’s post-Ziggy Stardust songs, the song is simultaneously nostalgic and refreshing.
Sparks’ Ron Mael elaborates:
“You can’t chart what is Sparks and what is Franz Ferdinand. I think each band unconsciously relinquished a little of who they were in order to enter new territory.”
If “Piss Off” is any indication of what’s to come, then this new territory should bring great new things.
FFS
1. Johnny Delusional
2. Call Girl
3. Dictator’s Son
4. Little Guy From The Suburbs
5. Police Encounters
6. Save Me From Myself
7. So Desu Ne
8. The Man Without A Tan
9. Things I Won’t Get
10. The Power Couple
11. Collaborations Don’t Work
12. Piss Off
FFS Tour Dates
June 16 Arts School in Glasgow, UK
June 29 The Troxy in London, UK
August 24 Festival Theatre in Edinburgh, UK
August 25 Albert Hall in Manchester, UK