On 22 October 2021, Duran Duran released their first album in six years with their fifteenth release, Future Past and inevitably it met the music scene with much anticipation from fans and critics alike. In my humble opinion the Duran boys have produced some of their best work in the past decade, most notably the flawless album from 2010 All You Need is Now which is never far away from my listening ears.
I was delighted to listen to Future Past and find that with each spin, my listening pleasure was enhanced time on time. It’s it a grabber and grower ie it grabs your attention with the first listen and grows and grows on you the more you listen. The things that are particularly noticeable to me are the superlative lyrics coupled with a range of musical styles yet still remainsinimitably Duran Duran. From the opening track Invisible (also released as a single) through to the balladeering beauty of Falling featuring Bowie’s piano man, Mike Garson,accompanying.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMCd5zrsFpE
All of You is classic Duran with the right mix of funkiness, voice, drums and melded together in an unforgettable multi-layered melody, paced to perfection. There are a number ofcollaborations on this album, which is a trend Duran toyed with on Paper Gods. They didn’t always hit the mark on that album but on this one its en point; here on Future Past they have featured the vocal talents of Tove Lo on Give it all Upwhich adds a modern dimension to the album, and on More Joy! featuring CHAI.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXe5ptuGz-4
The next song on the album is the currently released single, Anniversary that opens with a repetitive beat whilst Le Bon’s instantly recognisable vocals kick in. The title track Future Past is a slower paced track with Paul Young-esque bass that takes me right back to the memories of growing up in the 1980s. Lyrically it’s a sardonic track that is reminiscing of good times past but hopeful for a better future. Its essentiallya song encouraging the listener to make the most of now because it will soon become the past ‘and we are living now’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdkOCDIV7TU&list=RDgdkOCDIV7TU&start_radio=1
The next track Beautiful Lie is the first Side B track if you are listening to the vinyl version of the album which has been released in an array of coloured collector’s vinyl. It picks up the pace with a funky baseline and melody which carries you along the track. Tonight United continues in the same funky vein with another tush-shaking track, again exploring the lyrical themes of living life for now. One wonders if the Duran boys are feeling a little more mortal, now they are in their 60s? Whatever the reason, one can only celebrate it as their musical output is superlative.
Duran Duran – Tonight United – YouTube
The pace is tempered once more with Wing, which has echoes of being a Bond film soundtrack, you can almost see the naked female silhouettes in the title track floating in front of you. More Joy! featuring CHAI is a song which does exactly what it says in the title; joyful, inclusive and playful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VJKazAhXgs
The album concludes with Falling featuring Mike Garson as previously mentioned. A beautiful melancholic track that lends itself perfectly to the tender beauty of Garson’s piano playing skills and le Bon’s balladeering.
It’s difficult to name a favourite track on this collection as each on truly has its own merits. If pushed, I’d have to say All of You which contains highly relatable lyrics and Give it all Up with a mesmerising trance like beat coupled with ToveLo’s vocals that’s hard to get out of my head (and it don’t want it to!) although ask me tomorrow and that may well have changed!
All in all, I’d say Future Past was definitely worth the wait, and I’m personally hoping that Duran Duran don’t leave it another six years before their next album release. I think we’ve all been patient enough, boys!
Future Past by Duran Duran was released by WEA globally on 22 October 2021 and is available from all the usual music outlets.
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