Released: 22 October 2021
Duran Duran celebrate 40 years of music with ‘Future Past’.
The group’s 15th album is co-produced by the band alongside Mark Ronson, Giorgio Moroder and Erol Alkan, and features collaborations with Tove Lo, Ivorian Doll, Japanese band Chai, and Mike Garson.
Blur’s Graham Coxon serves as guitarist – duties previously fulfilled by Dom Brown, who stepped in following the departure of Andy Taylor – with the refreshed line-up offering the group’s strongest album in years.
Lead single Invisible sets the tone for the LP, with its robotic opening, building melody and Simon Le Bon’s ageless vocals blending contemporary sounds with timeless pop sensibilities.
While looking to the future the group draws from the past; Anniversary is brimming with sonic Easter eggs harkening back to the band’s biggest hits while marking their four decades atop the charts.
Moroder lends his disco legacy to two cuts – Beautiful Lies and Tonight United – both of which are instant highlights.
Refreshingly, the collaborations on ‘Future Past’ are necessary and driven by the music; Tove Lo’s dreamy vocals are bliss on the synth-led Give It All Up, while Chai’s chant on More Joy! is addictive.
Closer Falling, featuring David Bowie’s pianist Mike Garson, is a tender moment on the largely upbeat record.
‘Future Past’ opens new musical possibilities for Duran Duran who, 40 years into their career, show no sign of slowing down.
‘Future Past’ is available on CD and vinyl.
