Duran Duran has announced a new release after six years. Indeed, the new album ‘Future Past’ is expected to be released on October 22nd, and sees the production of legendary Giorgio Moroder, DJ Erol Alkan and Mark Ronson. Their single ‘Invisible’ is premiering today on YouTube (link below).
In 2019, keyboardist Nick Rhodes confessed to NME that the British band was working on new material, pointing out that they were heading in a ‘different direction’: ‘There’s one song so far that’s a frontrunner to be the first single. It’s just so different from anything I’ve heard from us before, or actually anyone else. There’s a dance element to it. The construction of it, the melodic content, the lyrics, some of the sounds… they’re very different for us.’
‘Future Past’ includes 12 songs, whereas the deluxe edition contains three bonus tracks. Other extras, such as special edition vinyl and autographed artworks, can be purchased through other bundles. The album features special appearances of Graham Coxon of Blur on guitar, Mike Garson from David Bowie’s band on piano, and guest vocals from Lykke Li, with more guests to be announced.
Bassist John Taylor stated that the collaborations were vital in keeping creativity alive: ‘We have to starve ourselves of creativity long enough that when we do show up we have something to say. [The studio sessions] are quite exhausting because we have been down this road. We can finish each other’s sentences and I guess, to some extent, we can do that musically as well. We are working with the same cast; it’s like a soap opera. That’s why collaborators become so important as you need to keep the spirit lively.’
The album was supposed to come out before fall 2021, but the COVID pandemic changed the iconic band’s plans. However, legendary frontman Simon Le Bon believes that the wait was worth it: ‘[The album is] quite naked, raw. The grass is slightly sharp and twinkly rather than smooth. It’s groovy (and) modern and very honest. The lyrics are quite something.’
It was recently confirmed that Duran Duran will perform with Graham Coxon at this year’s Billboard Music Awards on May 23rd. They will celebrate their 40th anniversary and will present a new single for the occasion. You can pre-order ‘Future Past’ here.
