Duran Duran have released a brand new cover of Talking Heads’ Psycho Killer.
Lifted from their Halloween-themed album ‘Danse Macabre’, the track features Victoria De Angelis of Måneskin on guest bass and vocals, with ex-Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor on guest guitar.
It’s the first cover to be unveiled from ‘Danse Macabre’, which features 13 songs – a blend of originals, reimagined rarities and new originals – and sees the return of former members Taylor and Warren Cuccurullo.
Speaking about working with Duran Duran, De Angelis says: “It’s such a wild honour to get asked by John Taylor and the guys to play on their album. I met John at a party, and we immediately bonded talking about music and bass.
“I told him Tina Weymouth was my absolute pinnacle of cool, attitude and incredible musicianship all rolled into one, and he told me he also started playing bass inspired by her and she was one of his music idols.
“I then got a call from John months later saying he was working on a cover of Psycho Killer, and he wanted to ask me first about playing on it. It was insane being asked by one of the greatest bass players ever to play one of my favourite songs with Duran Duran. Absolutely insane.
“I’m so grateful and honoured, it was so much fun recording together with John and he was so sweet to me and encouraged me to express myself and play it my own way. I’ll always remember that day.”
Taylor adds: “She’s probably the most important electric bassist out there right now. I met a couple of the guys from Måneskin at a party and they said, ‘You’ve got to meet our bass player’. She’s such a dynamo! I was like ‘What inspired you?’ and Vic said, ‘Tina Weymouth’. “So when Psycho Killer made the cut for the album, I thought, “I’m gonna ask her if she’d like to have a bass-off!”
Listen to Psycho Killer below.
Produced by Josh Blair and Mr. Hudson, ‘Danse Macabre’ also has guest appearances from Nile Rodgers, with Nick Rhodes saying the LP “celebrates the joy and madness of Halloween”.
“We had decided to seize the moment to create a unique, special event … the temptation of using glorious gothic visuals set to a dark soundtrack of horror and humour was simply irresistible.”
Of the album, which includes covers of songs by artists such as Billie Eilish, Cerrone, The Rolling Stones and The Specials, Simon Le Bon adds, “It’s about a crazy Halloween party. It’s supposed to be fun!”
In fitting with the theme, the album is packaged featuring images adapted from a collection of authentic vintage séance photos that Nick sourced at auction.
In a review of the album, RETROPOP said ‘Danse Macabre’ sees Duran Duran “in fine form” but noted that the LP “falls victim to the themed album curse and becomes its own worst enemy, with the end result coming in short of the band’s recent releases”.
Tracklist: Duran Duran – Danse Macabre
1. Nightboat
2. Black Moonlight
3. Love Voudou
4. Bury A Friend
5. Supernature
6. Danse Macabre
7. Secret Oktober 31st
8. Ghost Town
9. Paint It Black
10. Super Lonely Freak
11. Spellbound
12. Psycho Killer (feat. Victoria De Angelis)
13. Confession in the Afterlife
