"Tonight: Franz Ferdinand" is the third studio album by Scottish indie rock band Franz Ferdinand. It was released on 26 January 2009 in the United Kingdom and worldwide on 3 February 2009. The album showcases a significant change in the band's sound, incorporating more experimental styles and a broader range of genres including electronica, dub, and reggae.
The recording of the album started in 2007 and took place in several locations such as their own studio in Govan, Glasgow, and New York's Old Soul Studio. Frontman Alex Kapranos has described the album as a nighttime record, attributing the title to the fact that the songs are about "the guilt and the pleasure, what happens in the night." The lead single from the album, "Ulysses," was released ahead of the album in January 2009.
The change in sound is attributed in part to the band's desire to create a different kind of record from their previous efforts, as well as take artistic risks to keep themselves interested. The album display themes of escapism, hedonism, and the melancholy feelings which stem from the aftermath. Despite mixed critical reception, the album debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart. Some critics appreciated the change in sound, while others lamented the lack of the catchy hooks that characterized the band's earlier work.
"Tonight: Franz Ferdinand" was the last album recorded by the band's original line-up, before guitarist Nick McCarthy left in July 2016. Reception toward the album continues to be mixed, highlighting the divided opinions on the band's change in musical direction.
