When I reviewed Paloma Faith’s “Can’t Rely On You” in The Week In Pop, I called it low-grade Pharrell because the chorus reminds me of Joss Stone, but it’s definitely growing on me, in part because of a slinky syncopated riff that snakes between the beat. It didn’t hit me at first, but the riff bears a striking resemblance to Franz Ferdinand’s “Take Me Out.” As NME reports, Alex Kapranos noticed. The Franz frontman called out Pharrell on Twitter earlier today:

Hey @Pharrell – I love your tunes. If you want to borrow a riff, just ask… https://t.co/UInlWYxcKg

— alex kapranos (@alkapranos) January 31, 2014

No response from Pharrell or Paloma Faith as of yet. What do you guys think? The riff kicks in at about 1:04 of “Take Me Out” and about :34 of “Can’t Rely On You.”

UPDATE: Kapranos has apologized…

@Pharrell Sometimes I forget how easily things can get exaggerated on here. I know you didn't borrow any riffs. Sorry for all the press BS.

— alex kapranos (@alkapranos) February 3, 2014