Which British alternative rock band's 2004 self-titled debut album won the Mercury Prize?

Franz Ferdinand’s self-titled 2004 debut album won the Mercury Music Prize. The Scottish band’s first studio album was released on February 9, 2004, through Domino Recording Company and later received the prize for the best British or Irish album of the year.

Recorded in 2003 at Gula Studios in Malmö, Sweden, the album blended post-punk revival with dance-rock and art-pop influences. Its breakthrough single, “Take Me Out,” became a major international hit and helped carry the album to number three on the UK Albums Chart.

The Mercury win came on September 7, 2004, during a period when the band’s sharp guitars, angular rhythms, and stylish presentation stood out from more conventional rock releases. The album also produced the singles “The Dark of the Matinée” and “Michael.”

A frequent source of confusion is the date: the album won the 2004 prize even though the ceremony took place later in the year. It was also the band’s debut studio album, not merely their first charting release or first recording.